Florida Panthers News

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.

Markstrom will return to the Flames crease on Tuesday after being unavailable to dress in the team's previous two games due to an upper-body injury. In his most recent outing, a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), the first time he has recorded a victory when allowing two or fewer goals in a game (1-2-1). The Flames have lost their last two games but are -165 road favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that ranks in the bottom half of the league defensively (3.40 GF / GP).

Markstrom did not dress in the last two games for the Flames as he was out of the lineup with an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return. During his absence, Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf each started a game, both losses. Markstrom is 2-6-1 on the season with a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV%.

Bennett's impending return is welcome news for him and the Panthers after he was injured after playing just 7:54 in his season debut. Bennett had 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.

The Flames have recalled high-pedigree prospect Dustin Wolf as Markstrom tends to an upper-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup. Dan Vladar will start for the Flames on Friday against the Maple Leafs, and it is unclear if Markstrom will be ready for their Saturday matchup against the Ottawa Senators or if the team will turn to Wolf. Markstrom has a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV% through nine games this season (2-6-1).

Bennett's availability for Sunday's game is still to be determined but his impending return is welcome news for him and the Panthers after he was injured, playing just 7:54 in his season debut. Bennett had 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.