Panthers’ Sam Reinhart to miss game against Red Wings

A notable name will be out of action on Tuesday, but shouldn’t be on the shelf for long.

When speaking to the media, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice revealed that forward Sam Reinhart will not be in the lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Maurice didn’t explain why the right-handed center is missing the contest, but stated that Reinhart should play on Thursday night, when the Panthers host the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Reinhart was in the lineup for Florida’s 3-1 win over the Red Wings this past Friday in Hockeytown, picking up an assist on one of Matthew Tkachuk’s three goals. It was Reinhart’s third point in four games, as he scored his team-leading 28th goal of the year on March 1 against the New York Islanders.

While things have been bumpy for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, with a good chance the team might be missing out on the postseason, Reinhart has been a steady producer. In 63 games, the West Vancouver native also leads the Cats with 31 assists and 59 points. He sits five points ahead of the injured Brad Marchand, who is the only Florida regular to be averaging a point per game with 54 points in 52 appearances.

Reinhart is certainly far off the pace that led to him scoring a career-high 57 goals and 94 points during the 2023-24 season, and another 81 points last year, but the veteran’s value to the Panthers, even during a down season, can’t be overstated. His efforts since coming to the team in 2021 have been key to the Cats advancing to three straight Cup Finals.

The Panthers (31-29-3) are seventh in the Atlantic Division, 11 points back of the Boston Bruins for the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.