Florida Panthers News

Jones has not played since December 10th due to a shoulder injury but looks like he could return Saturday vs. Dallas after participating in full Friday at practice. The 29-year-old has struggled offensively this season with little help around him in Chicago, as he is yet to score a goal but has 11 assists, 60 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 27 games prior to the injury. He'll lineup up on first power play and the Blackhawks' top defensive pairing when he does return.

Markstrom's strong performance on Tuesday, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%), helped the Flames snap a two-game losing streak and will return to the crease on Thursday. Since returning from a fractured finger injury last month, Markstrom has quietly drawn together a solid stretch of play, posting a stellar .931 SV% in eight games (5-3-0). The Flames are -122 road favourites on Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes, who snapped a three-game losing streak in their last contest with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

Bjornfot will get the chance to play on Wednesday after all as the Golden Knights will be forced to dress seven defensemen as Michael Amadio is unavailable due to illness. Bjonfot made his Vegas debut on Saturday and is yet to register a point in two games this season.

Markstrom did not play in the back end of a back-to-back on Sunday, a disappointing 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, but will return to the crease on Tuesday versus the Ottawa Senators. Markstrom has quietly amassed several strong performances since returning from a fractured finger injury last month, boasting a tremendous .935 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). The Flames, losers of two straight, are -123 home favourites against a Senators club that has lost three straight, being outscored 13-5.

Jakub Lauko will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Beecher to re-enter the lineup for the Bruins. Beecher has six points (4G / 2A) in 35 games this season and is expected to play on the fourth line with Jesper Boqvist and Oskar Steen.

Gudas has only played one of the last five games for the Ducks but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. He has five goals, five assists, and 87 hits in 32 games this season.

Gudas has only played one of the last five games for the Ducks but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. He has five goals, five assists, and 87 hits in 32 games this season.

Barkov took an elbow up high from Alec Martinez in the first period of Thursday's 4-1 win in Vegas. Barkov left after playing just 4:54 TOI and did not return to the game. In addition to Barkov, the Panthers also lost Evan Rodrigues in the game, which could leave them shorthanded up-front for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Barkov on Friday.

Beecher will slide back into his usual spot on the fourth line as Jakub Lauko is the odd-man out on Thursday. Beecher has four goals and two assists in 34 games this season.

Gadjovich has found himself the odd man out of the Panthers' lineup for 11 straight games due to illness and lack of roster room but will draw back in Thursday as he replaced Nick Cousins (concussion). The 25-year-old bruising left-winger has failed to pick up a goal in nine games this season, but has an assist, 43 PIMs, 10 SOG and a -2 plus/minus.

Jakub Lauko will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Beecher to re-enter the lineup for the Bruins. Beecher last played on December 31st, ending a run of 12 straight games in which he recorded only a single point (0G / 1A).

Zack MacEwen (illness) and Jacob Bernard-Docker (healthy scratch) are both expected to be out of the lineup on Thursday, allowing Crookshank and Jiri Smejkal to draw back into the lineup. Crookshank has spent most of the season with the Belleville Senators of the AHL, scoring 21 points (10G / 11A) in 24 games.

Bjornfot has only played one NHL game this season, the season-opener for the Kings, recording one block in 10:12 time-on-ice. He was been placed on unconditional waivers and claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.