Jacob Markstrom set for Panthers’ return against Red Wings
The Florida Panthers are getting some reinforcements in goal, with veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom set to start in Monday’s home matchup against the Detroit Red Wings.
Speaking to reporters Monday, head coach Paul Maurice said Markstrom would return from injured reserve after missing five games with an upper-body injury he sustained during a team practice. This season, the 36-year-old goaltender has a 3-1-1 record, a 2.21 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage through six games.
While it hasn’t been the smoothest start to the season for the Swedish backstop, his return will be a welcome addition, given the injury bug that has impacted him, as well as key players Sasha Barkov and Brad Marchand, who have also begun skating again.
With Markstrom unavailable since his last game in an 8-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Oct.17, the Panthers have largely turned to 26-year-old Akira Schmid for their goaltending duties. The Swiss netminder has five wins, tied for 13th in the NHL, with a 2.86 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage across eight games.
Marksrom is currently in his 17th NHL season and his second stint with the Florida Panthers, the team that initially drafted him 31st overall in the second round of the 2008 NHL Draft. After starting his NHL career with the Panthers, he spent most of his prime years with the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames before a two-year stop with the New Jersey Devils, ahead of his return to the Panthers this season.
In his NHL career, he has a .906 save percentage through 584 regular-season games, with a goals-against average of 2.73.
The Panthers enter Monday’s clash with the Red Wings sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division, but in the midst of a three-game winning streak. After Monday, the Panthers will turn their focus towards a Wednesday cross-conference matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
