Florida Panthers News

Balinskis played the first two games of Florida's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording a +2 plus/minus and four hits. He exited the lineup when Aaron Ekblad returned from a suspension in Game 3 but will draw back in on Wednesday for Game 5.

Ekblad was not penalized on the play and eventually scored the tying goal in Florida's 4-2 victory in Game 4. Hagel suffered an undisclosed injury and has already been ruled out for Game 5. Uvis Balinskis will likely draw back into the Panthers lineup in place of Ekblad.

Markstrom will be looking to rebound from his worst performance of the series as he tries to help his team stave off elimination on Tuesday. The 35-year-old netminder allowed four goals on 28 shots in a 5-2 loss in Game 4 on Sunday. Despite the 3-1 series deficit, Markstrom has arguably been New Jersey's best player in the series, posting a .913 SV% across the opening four games. That will certainly need to be the case again on Tuesday as the Devils enter action at +225 on the money line.

Facing a 2-0 series deficit, Markstrom and the Devils will be hoping the third time's the charm when they host the Hurricanes for Game 3 on Friday. Markstrom is hardly the one to blame for the hole the Devils find themselves in, as evident by his .930 SV% and 2.52 GAA. New Jersey will thankfully be playing on home ice for the first time in the series, where Markstrom logged a 14-7-4 record across 26 regular season appearances. The Devils enter action on Friday at +135 on the money line.

Ekblad was suspended for 20 games in early March for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. He will make his return to the lineup on Saturday in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Ekblad had 33 points (3G / 30A) in 56 games this season.

Barkov exited Thursday's game in the third period after receiving an unsuspecting hit from Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel. Hagel was issued a five-minute major penalty for interference and is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The 29-year-old Barkov has three points (0G / 3A) through two playoff games and his status for Game 3 is uncertain.

Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury as a member of USA's team in the 4-Nations Face Off and has not played since. After practicing with the Panthers the last several days, he appears set to return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Tkachuk scored 57 points (22G / 35A) in 52 games this season.

Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury as a member of USA's team in the 4-Nations Face Off and has not played since. That said, he has been practicing with the Panthers the last several days and could return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Tkachuk scored 57 points (22G / 35A) in 52 games this season.

Marksrom had an eventful Game 1 for New Jersey, saving 41 of 44 shots (.932 SV%) in the 4-1 loss, and will likely return to the crease for Game 2 on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Markstrom had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.50 GAA and .900 SV% in 49 contests (26-16-6). He has played reasonably in his playoff career, showcasing a serviceable 2.90 GAA and .912 SV%, but has a losing record in 27 games (13-14). The Devils enter Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes as significant +217 road underdogs.

Tkachuk suffered a lower-body injury as a member of USA's team in the 4-Nations Face Off and has not played since. That said, he has been practicing with the Panthers the last several days and could return to the lineup for Game 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old Tkachuk scored 57 points (22G / 35A) in 52 games this season.

Tkachuk has not played since March 30th but will return to the lineup for the Senators final game of the season as they prepare for their first-round playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 25-year-old Tkachuk is averaging 18:21 time-on-ice, recording 55 points (29G / 26A), 123 penalty minutes, 227 hits, and 293 shots in 71 games this season.