Balinskis played the first two games of Florida's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording a +2 plus/minus and four hits. He exited the lineup when Aaron Ekblad returned from a suspension in Game 3 but will draw back in on Wednesday for Game 5.
Ekblad was not penalized on the play and eventually scored the tying goal in Florida's 4-2 victory in Game 4. Hagel suffered an undisclosed injury and has already been ruled out for Game 5. Uvis Balinskis will likely draw back into the Panthers lineup in place of Ekblad.
After a 19-save shutout in Game 2, giving the Panthers a 2-0 series lead, Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 21 shots (.810 SV%) in Saturday's 5-1 game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, narrowing their series lead to 2-1. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.44 GAA and .905 SV% in 54 games (33-19-2). He will return to the crease for Game 4 on Monday. Florida enters the contest as -142 home favorites against Tampa Bay.
Mackie Samoskevich will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 on Monday, allowing Greer to enter Florida's lineup for his first career playoff game. The 28-year-old Greer recorded 17 points (6G / 11A), 130 penalty minutes, and 222 hits in 81 games this season.
A.J. Greer will draw into Florida's lineup for Game 4 on Monday, sending Samoskevich to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. Samoskevich was excellent towards the enter of the season for Florida, scoring 15 points (8G / 7A) in his final 25 games. He has one point (0G / 1A) in three playoff games this postseason.
Ekblad was suspended for 20 games in early March for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. He will make his return to the lineup on Saturday in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Ekblad had 33 points (3G / 30A) in 56 games this season.
Barkov exited Thursday's game in the third period after receiving an unsuspecting hit from Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel. Hagel was issued a five-minute major penalty for interference and is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The 29-year-old Barkov has three points (0G / 3A) through two playoff games and his status for Game 3 is uncertain.
The Panthers commandingly took Game 1 from the Tampa Bay Lightning, defeating them 6-2, aided by a 20-save performance from Bobrovsky (.909 SV%). The 36-year-old Bobrovsky improves to 46-43 in his playoff career, posting a 2.84 GAA and .905 SV%. Still, the Panthers enter Game 2 as slightly +106 road underdogs against a Lightning team desperately trying to tie the series.
Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury as a member of USA's team in the 4-Nations Face Off and has not played since. After practicing with the Panthers the last several days, he appears set to return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Tkachuk scored 57 points (22G / 35A) in 52 games this season.
As expected, the Panthers will hand their franchise netminder the opening start of their round one series against the Lightning. It's been eight days since Bobrovsky's last start, so the 36-year-old netminder should be well rested heading into Tuesday's series opener. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner finished the regular season with a 33-19-2 record and a .905 SV%. The Panthers enter action on Tuesday at an even +100 on the money line.
Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury as a member of USA's team in the 4-Nations Face Off and has not played since. That said, he has been practicing with the Panthers the last several days and could return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Tkachuk scored 57 points (22G / 35A) in 52 games this season.
Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury as a member of USA's team in the 4-Nations Face Off and has not played since. That said, he has been practicing with the Panthers the last several days and could return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Tkachuk scored 57 points (22G / 35A) in 52 games this season.
The Florida Panthers have completed the 2024-25 season and, no longer in need of reserves, have assigned Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund, and Matt Kiersted to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Asplund has 42 points (19G / 23A) in 62 games with Charlotte this season.
The Florida Panthers have completed the 2024-25 season and, no longer in need of reserves, have assigned Jesse Puljujarvi, Rasmus Asplund, and Matt Kiersted to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). Kiersted has 27 points (1G / 27A) in 63 games with Charlotte this season.
