Ekman-Larsson did not practice on Monday due to an illness. The 33-year-old defenseman has played all 37 games for the Maple Leafs this season, averaging 20:59 time-on-ice and recording 13 points (1G / 12A), 52 hits, and 34 blocks. The Maple Leafs return to action on Tuesday against the New York Islanders.
The Panthers have been outscored 8-0 in their last two games (0-2-0) and have been shut out in four of their last eight contests (4-4-0). They will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Monday against the struggling New York Rangers. Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in his most recent contest, a 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has a 2.80 GAA and .895 SV% in 24 games this season (16-7-1). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as -194 home favorites against a Rangers club that has been outscored 14-3 in their last three games (0-3-0).
Tanev missed his first game of the season in the Maple Leafs' previous outing but will return for Friday's game in Detroit. The 35-year-old Tanev is averaging 19:36 time-on-ice, recording 10 points (1G / 9A), a +11 plus/minus, and 99 blocks in 34 games this season.
Tanev missed his first game of the season in the Maple Leafs' previous outing. The 35-year-old Tanev is averaging 19:36 time-on-ice, recording 10 points (1G / 9A), a +11 plus/minus, and 99 blocks in 34 games this season.
Matthews will miss his third straight game due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old Matthews has had an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign and is pacing for his lowest offensive output since his rookie season, with 23 points (11G / 22A) in 24 games.
Merzlikins was battling an undisclosed injury, preventing him from playing the Blue Jackets' previous game, but he appears no worse for wear and will return to the crease on Friday against the Boston Bruins. Merzlikins allowed five goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in his previous outing, a 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He has a 3.13 GAA and .889 SV% in 22 games this season (10-9-3). The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as +141 home underdogs against a Bruins club they will play again on Saturday.
The Panthers won the first end of a back-to-back set against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday and will turn to Bobrovsky on Monday. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.79 GAA and .896 SV% in 23 games this season (16-6-1) but has looked more like his usual self lately, allowing a single goal in four of his last six (5-1-0), posting a solid .913 SV%. The Panthers enter Monday's contest as -146 home favorites against the Lightning.
With Chris Tanev battling a lower-body injury, Myers will re-enter the lineup for Monday's game against the Winnipeg Jets. Myers has no goals and one assist in seven games this season.
Tanev was a late scratch for Monday's game against the Winnipeg Jets due to a lower-body injury. The 35-year-old Tanev is averaging 19:36 time-on-ice, recording 10 points (1G / 9A), a +11 plus/minus, and 99 blocks in 34 games this season.
Vladislav Kolyachonok will draw back into Utah's lineup on Monday against the Dallas Stars, returning Mermis to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Mermis made his season debut on Sunday, recording a -2 plus/minus rating in 10:47 time-on-ice.
Matthews will be out until after the holiday break, nursing his upper-body injury for a second straight game. The 27-year-old Matthews has had an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign and is pacing for his lowest offensive output since his rookie season, with 23 points (11G / 22A) in 24 games.
Bobrovsky was excellent in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%), and will return to the crease on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. That said, the 36-year-old Bobrovsky has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, showcasing a 2.88 GAA and .892 SV% in 22 games (15-6-1). The Panthers enter Friday's contest as significant -293 home favorites against a Blues club defeated 3-1 last night by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Jet Greaves started three of the last four games for the Blue Jackets, but he has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL), opening the door for Merzlikins to return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has allowed nine goals in his last two games (0-2-0), posting a .830 SV%, and has a 3.11 GAA and .887 SV% in 20 games this season (9-9-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +191 home underdogs against a Devils squad outscoring their opposition 11-3 during a three-game winning streak.
Jet Greaves started three of the last four games for the Blue Jackets, but he has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL), opening the door for Merzlikins to return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has allowed nine goals in his last two games (0-2-0), posting a .830 SV%, and has a 3.11 GAA and .887 SV% in 20 games this season (9-9-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +191 home underdogs against a Devils squad outscoring their opposition 11-3 during a three-game winning streak.
