The Panthers have recalled Asplund from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, where he has five points (2G / 3A) in seven games this season. Asplund spent last season split between the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators, registering eight points (2G / 6A) in 46 games.
Kahkonen stopped 37 of 40 shots against (.925 SV%) in his previous start vs. Carolina but picked up his third-straight loss of the season and will take the crease again Thursday vs. Vancouver. The 27-year-old has been decent despite no offensive help with his 0-3-0 record, .907 SV%, and 3.16 GAA. He will try to get San Jose into the win column for the first time this season (0-8-1) as they take on Vancouver, who is third in the NHL in goals per game (4.0).
Bennett saw his first action of the season on Monday after returning from an injury (lower-body) but played only 7:54 before being forced to leave the game with another lower-body injury. This injury isn't believed to be related to the previous one that kept him out of action but is still cause for concern as he has a week-to-week timeline for his next potential return. Bennett had 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.
Monday's start makes it the seventh time in the Panthers' opening eight games that they've turned to the two-time Vezina Trophy winner. Bobrovsky is fresh off one of his best starts of the season on Saturday, where he surrendered just two goals on 32 shots enroute to a 3-2 victory over the Kraken. On the season, the 14-year veteran owns a .906 SV% and a 2.88 GAA to go along with his 3-3-0 record. He draws a difficult assignment in Boston on Monday with Florida being a +138 road underdog.
Bennett has missed the Panthers' first seven games due to a lower-body injury sustained in the pre-season and was a game-time decision to make his season debut Monday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old will be a much-welcomed return to the lineup after posting 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.
Bennett has missed the Panthers' first seven games due to a lower-body injury sustained in the pre-season and is now a game-time decision to make his season debut Monday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old will make a much-welcome return after posting 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.
Vanecek will get the nod against the Wild on Sunday, making him the first of the Devils' two goaltenders to start consecutive games this season. He allowed four goals on 27 shots enroute to a 5-4 victory over the Sabres on Friday. Vanecek owns an .891 SV% and a 3.30 GAA to go along with his 3-2-0 record on the season. He and the Devils are -170 favourites to pick up the victory over Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild on Sunday.
Bennett has yet to play this season but appears to be nearing a return as he will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip. Last season, he registered 40 points (16G / 24A) in 63 games and should provide an offensive spark for a Panthers team that is off to a 3-3-0 start.
Kulikov was originally questionable to play on Saturday because of an illness but has now been deemed fit to play. In six games this season, Kulikov has three points (0G / 3A), 11 blocks, 10 hits, and a +3 plus/minus rating.
Samoskevich was recalled Thursday to Florida but will continue his revolving door of roster transactions as he has been loaned back to Charlotte (AHL) Friday. The 20-year-old was Florida's 2021 first-round selection (24th overall) and has yet to pick a point up in any of his three games played with the Panthers in 2023-24.
Boqvist played in his first game of the season on Thursday vs. Anaheim and had no counting stats after 10 shifts and 6:02 TOI and has been reassigned to Providence (AHL) Friday. The 24-year-old forward returns to the minors, where he has no goals, two assists, and four PIMs in five games so far in 2023-24.
Entwistle was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks' previous two games but will draw back into the lineup Friday vs Vegas as he replaces Andreas Athanasiou. The 24-year-old right-winger has a goal, two SOG, four PIMs, and a +1 plus/minus in two games this season while being healthy scratched for five others.
Vanecek will take the starter's crease for the Devils on Friday as they will look to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Vanecek, who allowed two goals on 16 shots coming in relief of Akira Schmid on Wednesday, has been the better of the two goalies thus far despite a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and .900 SV% in four games (2-2-0). The Devils are listed as -191 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that is averaging only 2.71 goals per game, the 21st fewest in the league.
Barkov will return to the Panthers' lineup on Saturday after missing their previous game with an undisclosed illness. Over his last four seasons, Barkov has never played more than 68 games. The Panthers and their fans alike will hope this most recent absence was a one-off as he is off to a great start this season, tallying six points (1G / 5A) in five games.
Kulikov has been dealing with an illness but could be an option for the Panthers on Saturday as he will be a game-time decision. He has three points (0G / 3A) and a +3 plus/minus rating through six games while primarily playing alongside Niko Mikkola on the Panthers' second defensive pairing.
Bennett has yet to play this season but could return on Saturday as he will be a game-time decision against the Seattle Kraken. Last season, he registered 40 points (16G / 24A) in 63 games and should provide an offensive spark for a Panthers team that is off to a 3-3-0 start.
Bobrovsky will return to the crease on Saturday after serving as a backup for the first time this season in a 3-1 win for Anthony Stolarz and the Panthers over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. Bobrovsky has been mediocre to start the season, posting a 3.06 GAA and .899 SV% through five games (2-3-0), and could see his stranglehold over the starting position be challenged if Stolarz can put together more strong starts. Bobrovsky and the Panthers will face off on Saturday against a Seattle Kraken team that has the sixth-worst offence (2.25 GF/GP)
After playing his first three NHL games, Samoskevich has been returned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. The 24th overall pick of the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft recorded zero points, five shots, and a -2 plus/minus rating.
Vanecek is the likely starter for the Devils on Friday as they will look to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Vanecek, who allowed two goals on 16 shots coming in relief of Akira Schmid on Wednesday, has been the better of the two goalies thus far despite a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and .900 SV% in four games (2-2-0). The Devils are listed as -191 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that is averaging only 2.71 goals per game, the 21st fewest in the league.
