Bennet took a puck to the hand and exited Tuesday's 3-2 game-two victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning after playing only 7:42 time-on-ice. Despite leaving early in the second period, Bennet still managed to end game two with a two-point effort, scoring one goal and one assist.
After a 3-2 victory in game one, the Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes again. The veteran netminder was solid in game one, despite not being overly tested, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in the victory. The Panthers enter game two as -170 home favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Ryan Lomberg will not play in game two due to an illness, allowing Lorentz to make his series debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Lorentz played 38 games this season, recording three points (1G / 2A) and 69 hits.
Lomberg is battling an illness and will be replaced by Steven Lorentz in game two against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Lomberg played 75 games for the Panthers this season, tallying seven points (5G / 2A) and 170 hits.
Lomberg took a seat in the press box for Florida's final game of the season but will return to the lineup as a physical presence for Game 1 vs. Tampa Bay. The 29-year-old fourth-liner enjoyed a strong fourth season in Florida with five goals, seven points, 68 SOG, and 80 PIMs in 75 games played while averaging only 9:32 TOI/GP.
Bobrovsky enjoyed his best season as a Panthers in 2023-24, going 36-14-7 with a 2.37 GAA, .915 SV% and six shutouts. In the playoffs during his first four seasons with Florida, Bobrovsky has gone 18-17 with a 2.93 GAA and .909 SV%.
Ekblad did not play the final six games of the season for the Panthers due to an undisclosed injury but will be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ekblad has seen a decrease in offensive productivity the last few years but is still a major part of the Panthers' blue line. He had 18 points (4G / 14A) in 51 games this season.
Ekblad has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on April 2nd but will be ready for the start of the playoffs. Ekblad has seen a decrease in offensive productivity the last few years but is still a major part of the Panthers' blue line. He has 18 points (4G / 14A) in 51 games this season.
Ekman-Larsson has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six games and will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Josh Mahura will draw into the lineup as a replacement.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson will not pay on Tuesday, allowing Mahura to re-enter the lineup. Mahura has nine-point (0G / 9A), 37 hits, and 26 blocks in 29 games this season.
Verhaeghe will return to the lineup sooner than anticipated and play on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before his injury, Verhaeghe scored 71 points (34G / 37A) in 75 games and was on pace to set a career-high in points.
Originally a game-time decision, Barkov will play on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The elite forward has been terrific lately, collecting 12 points (5G / 7A) in his last 10 games, being held off the scoresheet only once.
Ekman-Larsson is battling an undisclosed ailment and could miss Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ekman-Larsson has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last six games.
Barkov's status for Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs will be determined closer to puck drop. The elite forward has been terrific lately, collecting 12 points (5G / 7A) in his last 10 games, being held off the scoresheet only once.
The Panthers will turn to Stolarz for their final game of the season on Tuesday night. Stolarz has been solid in a backup role this season and is coming off a 25-save performance in a 2-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators for his second shutout. The Panthers enter action as -149 home favourites against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Okuliar is a 24-year-old undrafted forward from Slovakia. He has spent the last two seasons playing with Hradec Kralove (Czech) and scored 45 points (24G / 21A) in 52 games in the 2023-24 campaign.
Okposo has been a healthy scratch for Florida's previous three games but will draw back into the Panthers' lineup amidst an abundance of team changes. The 35-year-old veteran was acquired at the trade deadline but has struggled with his new team, with no points in four games played but six SOG and two PIMs.
Josh Mahura will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Ekman-Larsson to re-enter the lineup. Ekman-Larsson has 30 points (9G / 21A) in 78 games this season.
