Florida Panthers News

After being injured on Sunday, Jones will not play on Monday and is doubtful for the back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. Michael Del Zotto will slot back into the lineup with Jones out.

Jones left Sunday's game after being crunched by Andrew Shaw. His absence this morning suggests that he will not be in the lineup tonight vs. Colorado. That would mean Michael Del-Zotto will be back in the lineup tonight.

Eller left Saturday's win over the Maple Leafs after suffering a lower-body injury in the third period. There likely won't be too many people waiting on his game-time decision seeing as he has just one goal and two assists in his last 29 games.

Petrovic who was just recalled lands on IR for the second time this season. He has been recalled on multiple occasions, but injuries have limited him to just seven games with the Panthers. Colby Robak was recalled on Saturday and will replace Petrovic.

Gudas has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury. He was reportedly close to playing on Monday but was held out. He told reporters today that he is good to go, so it sounds like he will be back in the lineup vs. the Panthers.

Petrovic had no points in five games with the Panthers earlier this season, but then suffered an upper-body injury which cost him his spot with the big-club. He is back now with Erik Gudbranson out and has recorded two goals and 11 assists (13 points) in 43 games in San Antonio.

Gudas has missed the last four games, but was reportedly surprised he did not play on Monday. Skating again this morning is a good sign that the Lightning will get the NHL's fifth leading hitter (209) back on Thursday. Monitor his status following tomorrow's morning skate.

Gudas skated with a regular jersey this morning and is close to returning but is not ready tonight.

Gudas skated on Friday but took part with a no-contact jersey so he was not expected to play tonight. Monitor Gudas' status prior to Monday's contest vs. the Coyotes.

The 'no contact' jersey suggests that Gudas will not be ready for Saturday's clash with the Bruins, but returning to the ice is a step in the right direction for the physical defenseman.

Eller served as a healthy scratch on Wednesday, but will get back into the lineup on Thursday vs. the Coyotes. Eller has struggled mightily as of late after a hot start to the season. In Eller's last 21 games he has recorded just one assist, his last goal was on December 31.

Gudas is doubtful to play vs. the Sabres tonight which would be the second straight game that he will have missed after suffering a lower-body injury on Sunday vs. the Avalanche.

Markstrom, 24, was the 31st overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft. He has yet to assert himself as an NHL regular, but will get a chance now in Vancouver to share time with fellow countryman Eddie Lack. The two were teammates back with Brynas of the Swedish Elite League. Markstrom is 1-6-3 with a 3.52 GAA and .874 SV% with Florida this season, but has recently been playing with San Antonio (AHL) where he was 12-11-3 with a 2.56 GAA and .918 SV%.

Gudas was injured on Sunday against Colorado and appears he will not play tonight vs. the Blues. With Gudas out, the Lightning will likely return to six defenseman as Mike Kostka moves onto a regular D-pairing.

Gudas left Sunday's loss to the Avalanche favouring his leg after a second period hit. He is expected to be re-evaluated in the next few days, but will likely miss at least Tuesday's contest.

There is no timetable for Barkov's return, but with only two months left in the regular season, he is expected to miss multiple weeks, his fantasy value heading forward is extremely limited. He has been excellent posting eight goals and 16 assists (24 points) in 54 games this season. In deep keeper leagues and dynasty leagues, Barkov appears to have great value and a bright future. Nick Bjugstad, the Panthers' other impressive rookie center, appears set to fill-in for Barkov and center the line with Sean Bergenheim and Brad Boyes.

As if Team Finland needed another offensive setback with an already depleted line up, they will have to rely on their secondary scoring as their only source of offensive production. Luckily for Finland, most of their scoring over the past 2 games of the tournament has come from their 2nd and 3rd lines, respectively.

Barkov has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury and was expected to be held out tonight, but now he is going to be in the lineup. The rookie has 24 points (8G / 16A) in 50 games this season.

Despite returning to practice on Friday afternoon, Barkov may sit one more game before returning to the Panthers' lineup on Tuesday. Barkov has missed the last four games after suffering a lower-body injury on January 21.

Barkov will miss his third straight game on Tuesday after suffering a lower-body injury last Tuesday.