Tkachuk has not played since the second game of the season on October 10th, missing five contests, but appears to be 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.
The Panthers have turned to Spencer Knight in two of the last three games but will return to Bobrovsky between the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Bobrovsky hasn't risen to full potential yet this season but has managed a 2-1-0 record with a 3.02 GAA and .894 SV%. The Panthers, still without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, enter Thursday's contest as slight -109 home favorites against the Canucks.
With Elvis Merzlikins being given some time to rest and regroup, the Blue Jackets will turn to Trasov between the pipes on Thursday for his second start of the young season. Tarasov was unspectacular in his first start, allowing four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%), but salvaged a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets enter action on Thursday as +112 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club that was defeated 6-5 in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night.
The Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice reported that Tkachuk is battling an illness and targeting a return on October 22nd against the Minnesota Wild. Over the past three seasons, Tkachuk has been among the league leaders in the NHL, averaging 1.25 points per game. Florida's top line is nearly completely decimated for the time being as they are also without Aleksander Barkov (lower-body). Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues will likely be the beneficiaries on the top line and top powerplay unit in the interim.
The Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky in the crease on Monday afternoon in an early-season rematch of their season opener, less than a week ago, against the Boston Bruins. Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in their 6-4 win over the Bruins and has historically struggled against them, posting a 3.64 GAA and .890 SV% in 22 career appearances (5-11-4). Without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers enter action as +128 road underdogs against the Bruins.
Elvis Merzlikins started the Blue Jackets' season opener but Tarasov will start Saturday in Colorado. The Blue Jackets are massive underdogs (+275) tonight and Tarasov was a 4-5-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .902 SV% on the road last year. However, he was unbelievable in his only start against the Avalanche last year, stopping 45 of 46 shots in a win.
Tkachuk's illness comes at a tough time, as the Panthers will also be without Aleksander Barkov (lower-body) on Saturday. With Tkachuk out, Eetu Luostarinen will move up into the top-6 on Saturday. Consider Tkachuk day-to-day and questionable to play Monday in Boston.
Barkov had to be helped off the ice at the end of Thursday's loss in Ottawa after crashing leg-first into the end boards. All things considered, this is good news for the Panthers but they'll be extremely shorthanded on Saturday with Matthew Tkachuk (illness) also sidelined. Anton Lundell should take on a much larger role while Barkov is out. Expect Barkov to miss roughly 10 games.
Petry suffered an upper-body injury at some point during the Red Wings' 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, playing only 9:34 time-on-ice. The Red Wings have recalled Justin Holl from the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) to draw into the lineup as Holl's replacement.
It's unclear when or how Petry suffered the injury, but he was unable to join his teammates for the third period. We can expect to receive an update on the injury prior to the Red Wings' game against the Predators on Saturday.
Barkov suffered the injury late in the third period of Thursday's game after falling feet first into the boards and appeared to be unable to put any weight on his right leg while being helped off the ice. We can expect to get an update on the injury prior to Florida's game in Buffalo on Saturday.
Bobrovsky was unspectacular in the Panthers' season-opening 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday but was good enough to secure the victory, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%). The 36-year-old Bobrovsky is coming off his best season in nearly a decade, finishing third in Vezina-trophy voting and posting a solid 2.37 GAA and .915 SV% in 58 games (36-17-4). Bobrovsky will return to the crease for the Panthers on Thursday in a matchup against the Ottawa Senators, where they are -133 road favorites.
Entwistle was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks for the first four seasons of his NHL career and will likely begin his 2024-25 campaign with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) after being sent down on Wednesday. In 193 career games, all with the Blackhawks, Entwistle has 35 points (15G / 20A).
Verhaeghe has established himself as one of the premier goal scorers in the NHL and has been rewarded with an eight-year, $56 million contract extension. Over the past two seasons, in addition to some clutch playoff performances, the 29-year-old Verhaeghe has tallied 145 points (76G / 69A) and 521 shots in 157 regular-season games. He is currently suiting up on the top line and top powerplay unit for the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
