Florida Panthers News

Markstrom and the Devils are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, where Markstrom allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%), but he will return to the crease on Friday looking to redeem himself against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 35-year-old Markstrom has struggled this season, earning quality starts in a career-worst 25 percent of games, posting an ugly 3.55 GAA and .875 SV% through 13 outings (7-5-1). The Devils enter Friday's action as +106 home underdogs against a Golden Knights team on a two-game winning streak.

Crookshank has 21 games of NHL experience, scoring four points (2G / 2A), but has predominantly been an AHL player. The 26-year-old forward has seven points (5G / 2A) in 17 games this season with the Utica Comets (AHL).

Eller is battling an undisclosed injury and will not play on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The veteran 36-year-old forward has six points (2G / 4A) in 26 games this season, but has been held off the scoresheet in 14 consecutive games.

With Carter Verheaghe (personal) returning to the lineup on Thursday, Devin will be the odd man out as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Devine made his NHL debut earlier this season and has zero points through six games.

Veteran Jeff Petry will be a healthy scratch for the Panthers on Thursday, allowing Sebrango to re-enter the lineup against the Nashville Predators. The 23-year-old Sebrango has not play in two weeks and has two assists in 10 games this season.

Verheaghe did not play in Florida's most recent game to attend the birth of his child, but should return to the lineup on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old Verheaghe has a modest 16 points (4G / 12A) through 24 games this season, but has turned it on lately, with six points (2G / 4A) during a three-game point streak.

The Devils have allowed five goals in each of their last two games (0-2-0), and will hope for some defensive stability on Wednesday, turning to Markstrom to tend the twine against the Dallas Stars. The 35-year-old Markstrom allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 5-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, and has struggled with consistency all season. Markstrom has a 3.60 GAA and .874 SV% in 12 games this season (7-4-1).

With Tyler Seguin (ACL) injured last night and likely out for the remainder of the season, Bastian will draw into the Stars' lineup as his replacement. The 27-year-old Bastian has three goals and 39 hits in 17 games this season.

The Devils have allowed five goals in each of their last two games (0-2-0), and will hope for some defensive stability on Wednesday, likely turning to Markstrom to tend the twine against the Dallas Stars. The 35-year-old Markstrom allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 5-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, and has struggled with consistency all season. Markstrom has a 3.60 GAA and .874 SV% in 12 games this season (7-4-1).

Devine will slot in for Carter Verhaeghe, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Devine will skate with Jack Studnicka and Luke Kunin on Florida's fourth line.

Verhaeghe was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with the Panthers not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Jack Devine will draw into the lineup in his place.

Imama had a 16-game stint with Pittsburgh last season, scoring one goal, but has primarily spent his career in the AHL. The 29-year-old forward has four points (3G / 1A) in 19 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season.

Imama had a 16-game stint with Pittsburgh last season, scoring one goal, but has primarily spent his career in the AHL. The 29-year-old forward has four points (3G / 1A) in 19 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) this season.

Schmid only has one regulation loss, but has not been at his best in his last two outings (0-0-2), allowing seven goals on 56 combined shots (.875 SV%). That said, he has given his team a chance on most nights, posting a serviceable 2.47 GAA and .900 SV% in 14 games (9-1-4). It’s unclear what Schmid’s workload will look like, or whether he stays in the NHL, when Carter Hart makes his debut, and Adin Hill (lower body) returns from injury. Still, the 25-year-old Schmid has proven himself as a reliable netminder for Vegas this season.

Tkachuk suffered an injury in the third game of the season, underwent thumb surgery, and has been sidelined since. The Senators' Captain will return to the lineup on Friday against the St. Louis Blues, giving a boost to his team that has fared reasonably well without him, going 12-7-4 through 23 games. The 26-year-old Tkachuk scored points (0G / 3A) through three games this season prior to his injury.

With Andre Burakovsky returning to the lineup, Lafferty will be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Lafferty is averaging 9:091 time-on-ice and has one goal in 10 games this season.

The Golden Knights are coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth and will revert to Akira Schmid between the pipes on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. Schmid has been solid for the Golden Knights, helping them record a point in eight straight starts (5-0-3) while posting a 2.40 GAA and .906 SV%. The 25-year-old Swiss goalie has a 2.45 GAA and .902 SV% in 13 games this season (9-1-3). Vegas enters Wednesday's contest as -171 home favorites against a Senators team that averages 3.2 goals per game.