The Panthers caught a break when the doctors announced that Barkov will not require surgery on his broken hand and could only miss two weeks. Barkov has had a great start to the season, registering three goals and three assists in seven games. It sounds like Barkov will miss at least six games, but it could have been worse.
Barkov is expected to meet with a specialist on Monday, who will determine if the Panthers’ centre will need surgery on his broken hand. There is no timetable for his return until they determine whether or not he needs surgery—Barkov could miss between two weeks and two months.
The Panthers will wrap up their road trip tonight in Dallas. Barkov will be reevaluated when they get back to Florida. Expect an update on Barkov’s hand injury next week.
Barkov was forced to leave Thursday’s game after blocking a shot with his hand. There was no update on Barkov’s status, but he was spotted leaving the arena with his hand wrapped in a bandage. The Panthers can’t afford to lose Barkov for an extended period of time, but if they do, expect Rocco Grimaldi to be recalled. Expect the Panthers to update Barkov’s status by Saturday morning.
Bennett was listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game but after participating in the morning skate, Bennett was announced good-to-go for Tuesday’s meeting with the Capitals.
Bennett missed Saturday’s game with an upper-body injury but returned to practice on Monday. Signs are pointing towards Bennett playing tomorrow but he is listed as a game-time decision.
Bennett missed Saturday’s game vs. the Oilers, but was back at practice on Monday, which suggests that he will be back in the lineup on Tuesday vs. the Capitals. Bennett skated on the second line with Mikael Backlund and Jiri Hudler. The 19-year-old has one assist in four games this season.
Marchand missed two games with a concussion but he will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Coyotes. He has no points and seven shots on goal in two games. With Marchand back, Brett Connolly will be scratched.
It looked as if Brian Gionta was going to return to the lineup on Monday which would have forced Reinhart out, but GIonta will sit for the third consecutive game, which means Reinhart should stay in the lineup.
Gudas missed 51 games a season ago after undergoing knee surgery and now 225 days after being acquired from Tampa Bay, Gudas will finally make his Flyers debut. Gudas is a rugged defenseman, who Flyers fans should love as long as he can stay in the lineup. He isn’t really known for his offence having registered just 32 points (7G / 25A) in 126 games in his career.
Reinhart registered one assist and two shots on goal while averaging just 10:58 TOI in the first two games of the regular season, but with Brian Gionta on pace to return to the lineup tomorrow, it looks like Reinhart may sit. He skated as the extra forward, working in and out on lines during Sunday’s practice which suggests that he will be out vs. Columbus.
Marchand suffered the concussion on an inadvertent elbow from Dale Weise on Saturday night. Bruins’ coach Claude Julien confirmed that Marchand is out with a concussion and there is no timetable for his return.
Marchand left last night’s game and was not on the ice for Bruins’ practice this morning. Immediate concern is that Marchand suffered a concussion, which could sideline him for a little while. The Bruins play on Monday, monitor Marchand’s status heading into tomorrow’s morning skate.
Markstrom tweaked a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s practice and is unable to suit up as Ryan Miller’s backup tonight. Markstrom will be evaluated later today to determine the severity of the injury and how much time he will miss. Richard Bachman has been recalled to serve as the backup.
Gudas had been skating among the Flyers’ top six defensemen throughout the week, but he will be scratched in the opener and Luke Schenn will play.
Bennett will suit up in his 10th game of the season, which will burn the first year of his entry level contract. The Flames will not hesitate to burn that year, because Bennett gives them a chance to win. The 18-year-old has three goals and one assist in eight playoff games.
After missing the start of the season because of shoulder surgery, Bennett, 18, went back to the OHL where he tallied 11 goals and 13 assists (24 points) in 11 games with Kingston. He is expected to make his debut on a line with David Wolf and Drew Shore.
Markstrom, 25, went 1-1-0 with a 3.08 GAA and .879 SV% in three games with Vancouver. With Ryan Miller set to return to the lineup tonight, he heads back to Utica where he has gone 19-7-2 with a 1.91 GAA and .932 SV% this season.
