Florida Panthers News

The Sharks have won three of their last four games, two with Vanecek between the pipes, and will turn to him for a second consecutive start for the first time this season. The 28-year-old Vanecek has been serviceable between the pipes for a Sharks club with a -17 goal differential, second-worst in the league, posting a 3.21 GAA and .902 SV% in seven outings (2-4-0). That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as significant +225 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club with only two regulation losses (8-2-2).

In their first game back in Florida after a two-game stint against the Dallas Stars in Finland as part of the NHL Global Series, the Panthers, riding a five-game winning streak, will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky hasn't been spectacular, posting a 3.08 GAA and .892 SV%, but has come up big when it's mattered most, translating to a solid 6-2-1 record. The Panthers enter the action on Thursday as -196 home favorites against a Nashville Predators club outscored 6-2 during a two-game losing streak.

In their first game back in Florida after a two-game stint against the Dallas Stars in Finland as part of the NHL Global Series, the Panthers, riding a five-game winning streak, will likely turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky hasn't been spectacular, posting a 3.08 GAA and .892 SV%, but has come up big when it's mattered most, translating to a solid 6-2-1 record. The Panthers enter the action on Thursday as -196 home favorites against a Nashville Predators club outscored 6-2 during a two-game losing streak.

Vanecek has taken a back seat to Mackenzie Blackwood lately, starting only two of the last seven games for the Sharks, but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Vanecek has an unspectacular 3.65 GAA and .879 SV% through six games this season (1-4-0), but was stellar in his previous outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks enter the action on Tuesday as +112 home underdogs against a Blue Jackets club off to a 5-5-1 start.

Vanecek has taken a back seat to Mackenzie Blackwood lately, starting only two of the last seven games for the Sharks, but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Vanecek has an unspectacular 3.65 GAA and .879 SV% through six games this season (1-4-0), but was stellar in his previous outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks enter the action on Tuesday as +112 home underdogs against a Blue Jackets club off to a 5-5-1 start.

Sawchyn was the 63rd overall pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward, in his third season in the WHL, has started his 2024-25 campaign off strong, with 20 points (8G / 12A) in 12 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

In the front end of a back-to-back against the Dallas Stars as part of the NHL Global Series in Finald, the Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a pedestrian 2.97 GAA and .892 SV%. That said, Bobrovsky has been sensational against the Dallas Stars in his career, posting a 2.35 GAA and .924 SV% in 23 contests (18-2-2). The Panthers enter Friday's contest against the Stars as -118 favorites.

Nosek missed the first 11 games of the season but will make his season debut Friday in Finland. Nosek, who had six points (2G / 4A) in 36 games last season, will centre the Panthers' fourth line with A.J. Greer and Mackie Samoskevich on his wings.

The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but, with the ongoing struggles of Alexandar Georgiev, gets the opportunity to play on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Kahkonen was solid in a two-game conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles (AHL), posting a 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% despite losing both contests. Colorado enters the action on Wednesday as a slight -106 home favorite against Tampa Bay.

The Sharks will opt to give Mackenzie Blackwood the night off as Vanecek gets the nod in the tail-end of their back-to-back on Tuesday. Vanecek struggled his last time out, surrendering seven goals on 42 shots in a 7-3 defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights. He owns an .869 SV% and has failed to record a victory in his first five appearances. He will be hard-pressed to pick up his first win of the season on Tuesday with the Sharks entering action as +260 underdogs.

The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado as Alexandar Georgiev has been unable to provide consistent efforts. The 28-year-old Kahkonen was solid in a two-game stint with the Eagles (AHL), posting a 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% despite losing both contests.

In their final game before flying to Finland to meet the Dallas Stars for the NHL Global Series, the Panthers will turn the Bobrovsky between the pipes. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has had an inconsistent start to the 2024-25 season, posting a pedestrian 3.11 GAA and .886 SV% in seven games (4-2-1), but saved 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers in his last outing, his best performance of the season. The Panthers enter the action on Monday as -148 road favorites against a Buffalo Sabres club with 30 goals this season, tied for eighth-most in the NHL.

Barkov has missed the last eight games due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Monday in the Panthers final contest before heading to Finland for the NHL Global Series. The defending Stanley Cup Champions are off to a fine start to the 2024-25 season, posting a 6-3-1 record, but will be overjoyed to have their captain back in the lineup. Last season, Barkov had 80 points (23G / 57A) in 73 games.

Martin was a sixth-round pick of the Panthers in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old Edmonton native has spent the last four seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL). He has eight points (1G / 7A) in eight games with Medicine Hat this season.

Kahkonen has not played a game in the AHL since the 2019-20 season. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado if Georgiev and Annunen are unable to provide consistent efforts.

Barkov has missed the last six games due to a lower-body injury and will miss at least one more before a potential return to the lineup. The defending Stanley Cup Champions are off to a reasonable start to the 2024-25 season, posting a 4-3-1 record, but will be overjoyed to have their captain back in the lineup. Last season, Barkov had 80 points (23G / 57A) in 73 games.

The Panthers will roll with Bobrovsky in the crease for the fourth straight game on Thursday against the New York Rangers. Bobrovsky has struggled out of the gate to start the 2024-25 season, posting a 3.47 GAA and .875 SV% in six outings (3-2-1), a trend that Panthers' fans hope will mirror last season's trajectory. Bobrovsky had a tremendous 2023-24 season but also started slow, posting a .899 SV% in his first five contests (2-3-0). The Panthers enter action on Thursday as +130 road underdogs against the Rangers, one of four clubs without a regulation loss (5-0-1).

The Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes for the third straight game and sixth time in eight contests to start the 2024-25 season. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a solid 3-1-1 record but is sporting an unspectacular 2.95 GAA and .896 SV%. Bobrovsky had a tremendous 2023-24 season but also started slow, posting a .899 SV% in his first five contests (2-3-0). The Panthers will welcome Matthew Tkachuk (illness) back into the lineup on Tuesday and enter the action against the Minnesota Wild as -147 home favorites.

Tkachuk has not played since the second game of the season on October 10th, missing five contests, but is on schedule for his targeted return date of October 22nd. Over the past three seasons, Tkachuk has been among the league leaders in the NHL, averaging 1.25 points per game. He has two points (0G / 2A) and seven shots on goal in two games this season and will reclaim his spot on the Panthers' top line and top powerplay unit.