Florida Panthers News

Schmid will return to the Devils' crease on Wednesday for the first time since allowing five goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on November 14th. The Devils are an offensive juggernaut this season, ranking ninth in the league offensively (3.47 GF / GP), but have struggled immensely keeping the puck out of their net, regardless of who is in between the pipes, ranking fourth-worst in the league defensively (3.82 GA / GP). Schmid has shown the pedigree of an exceptional goaltender in the past but has struggled to find his footing this season, posting an ugly 3.46 GAA and .885 SV% through six games (1-3-1).

Markstrom appears to be the starting goalie for the Flames for the front end of their back-to-back on Friday. Markstrom has allowed four goals in consecutive games, both losses. He was also unspectacular against Friday's opponent, the Dallas Stars, on November 1st when he allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 4-3 loss. The Flames are +159 road underdogs against a Stars team that has scored three or more goals in six of their last seven outings (5-1-1).

Dmitry Kulikov will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season, allowing Balinskis to return to the Panthers lineup. Balinskis has two points (1G / 1A) and 15 shots on goal while averaging 13:59 time-on-ice, playing predominantly on the Panthers' third defensive pair.

Kulikov will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Uvis Balinskis to draw back into the lineup. Kulikov has played all 19 games for the Panthers this season, tallying six points (0G / 6A), 26 blocks, and 27 hits while averaging 18:43 time-on-ice.

After missing two games with a knee injury, Barkov was a full participant at practice and should return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Barkov is expected to return to his familiar place on the Panthers' top line with Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues. Before his injury, Barkov was lighting it up with 11 points (5G / 6A) in his last 10 games.

Despite an up-and-down season for the season for the Flames, Markstrom has quietly improved on a poor 2022-23 campaign. Markstrom has helped the Flames record at least a point in each of his last four starts (3-0-1), saving 99 of 108 shots in the process (.917 SV%). The Flames are slight -109 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that won two straight but lost 4-2 to the Flames on November 7th when Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), leading his team to a 4-2 victory.

Despite an up-and-down season for the season for the Flames, Markstrom has quietly improved on a poor 2022-23 campaign. Markstrom has helped the Flames record at least a point in each of his last four starts (3-0-1), saving 99 of 108 shots in the process (.917 SV%). The Flames are slight -109 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that won two straight but lost 4-2 to the Flames on November 7th when Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), leading his team to a 4-2 victory.

Barkov did not practice on Wednesday, indicating he will likely miss his second consecutive game due to a knee injury. Barkov has been terrific this season, tallying 17 points (6G / 11A) in 16 games playing predominantly alongside Sam Reinhart on the Panthers' top line. Anton Lundell will move up to the top line, centring Eetu Luostarinen and the previously mentioned Reinhart.

Barkov left Friday's game in Anaheim following a knee-on-knee hit and did not return. He was not on the ice for Sunday's practice and will not play Monday, but head coach Paul Maurice said they "got lucky with it" and that he's only day-to-day. Anton Lundell moved up to the top line in Sunday's practice session.

Markstrom will be back in net for the Flames on Saturday in search of his fourth straight victory. He stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced enroute to a 5-2 victory over the red-hot Canucks on Thursday. The 33-year-old netminder is slowly rounding into form. He owns a .906 SV%, a 2.66 GAA, and a 4-6-1 record across 11 appearances. Markstrom and the Flames are slight favourites (-140) to secure a victory over the Islanders on Saturday.

Ekblad, initially expected to be out until mid-December, could return to action as soon as tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. The injured reserve has become far too familiar of a place for Ekblad over the past few seasons as the talented defenceman will hope for a better fate upon his return for the remainder of the season. Despite his recent inability to play an entire season, Ekblad scored more than 10 goals in each of his past three campaigns.

Gadjovich was sent to Charlotte (AHL) on a rehab assignment due to an upper-body injury but has been recalled to Florida on Friday. The 25-year-old signed a one-year, two-way contract with Florida in the offseason after putting up three goals, four assists, 57 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 35 games played with San Jose in 2022-23.

Bjornfot was injured in the Kings opening game on October 11th and will join the Ontario Reign on a conditioning assignment after finally being cleared to return to play. Bjornfot was the 22nd overall pick of the Kings in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He has 15 points (1G / 14A) in 117 career NHL games.

Markstrom was brilliant after returning from a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Markstrom has won consecutive starts for the first time this season and will hope to keep his hot streak rolling after having lost his seven previous outings (0-6-1), posting a .892 SV%. The Flames are -137 home favourites on Thursday and will try to take advantage of a Vancouver Canucks team that, albeit has won seven of their last eight (7-1-0), played an extra frame last night in a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.

Schmid played well coming in relief of Vitek Vanecek on Friday, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals and will receive only his second start since October 26th. The Devils expected to operate with an even timeshare in their crease, but early struggles for Schmid quickly put that idea to rest. In five games (1-2-1), Schmid has a 3.09 GAA and .898 SV%. Despite his struggles, Vanecek has been far from perfect this season, and a strong performance from Schmid against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday could go a long way in securing him more game-action.

Ekblad has yet to play in 2023-24 due to offseason shoulder surgery but is eyeing Friday vs. Anaheim as a possible return to make his season debut. The 27-year-old heavy shooting defensemen has scored double digit goals in eight of his nine career seasons and had 14 goals, 38 points, and 68 PIMs in 71 games played in 2022-23.

Schmid played well coming in relief of Vitek Vanecek on Friday, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals and will likely receive only his second start since October 26th. The Devils expected to operate with an even timeshare in their crease, but early struggles for Schmid quickly put that idea to rest. In five games (1-2-1), Schmid has a 3.09 GAA and .898 SV%. Despite his struggles, Vanecek has been far from perfect this season, and a strong performance from Schmid against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday could go a long way in securing him more game-action.