Florida Panthers News

Ekblad (undisclosed) will be ready for Game 1 of Florida's opening playoff series.

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.

Aaron Ekblad
Verhaeghe (upper body) will return to Florida's lineup on Tuesday vs. Toronto.

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.

Carter Verhaeghe
Barkov (stiffness) is a game-time decision on Tuesday vs. Toronto.

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.

Aleksander Barkov
Stolarz will start on Tuesday vs. Toronto.

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.

Anthony Stolarz
Okposo is expected to draw back into Florida's lineup on Thursday.

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.

Kyle Okposo
Lorentz is expected to draw back into the Panthers' lineup on Thursday vs. Columbus.

Jonah Gajovich and Ryan Lomberg will be healthy scratches for the Panthers on Thursday, allowing Lorentz and Kyle Okposo to draw back into the lineup. Lorentz has three points (1G / 2A) in 36 games this season.

Steven Lorentz
Bobrovsky will start Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets.

The Panthers have outscored their opposition 10-3 in their last three games (2-0-1) and will turn to Bobrovsky in the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky suffered an overtime loss in his last outing, losing 3-2 to the Boston Bruins while allowing three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%). The Panthers enter action as enormous -413 home favourites.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Bobrovsky is expected to start Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets.

The Panthers have outscored their opposition 10-3 in their last three games (2-0-1) and will turn to Bobrovsky in the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky suffered an overtime loss in his last outing, losing 3-2 to the Boston Bruins while allowing three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%). The Panthers enter action as enormous -413 home favourites.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Stolarz led the Panthers onto the ice for warmups.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed earlier this morning that Sergei Bobrovsky would get the start, but it appears there was a change of plans as Stolarz led the Panthers onto the ice for warmups for Tuesday's game against the Senators. Stolarz will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing start against the Canadiens last Tuesday, when we allowed five goals on 39 shots as the Panthers suffered a 5-3 defeat.

Anthony Stolarz