Bennett missed the Panthers' previous three games due to an upper-body injury and will remain out for Game 1 on Monday. The 27-year-old appeared in the first two games of Florida's opening series and picked up a goal and an assist to go along with four SOG and two PIMs.
With Charlotte being eliminated from the AHL playoffs, Spencer Knight has been recalled as a third goalie for Florida during their postseason run. The 23-year-old did not appear for the Panthers during the regular season but had a solid campaign with Charlotte, posting a .905 SV% and 2.41 GAA.
It was a good sign on Wednesday as Sam Bennett skated for the fist time since his upper-body injury held him out of the lineup and is a high possibility to return for Game 1 of Florida's second series. Bennett appeared in two games in Florida's opening series, and had a goal, an assist, four SOG and two PIMs.
Coming off their first playoff loss, the Panthers will return to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Monday in their second attempt to advance to the next round. Bobrovsky struggled in the Panthers' 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.812 SV%), but was solid in his first three outings (3-0-0), allowing three or fewer goals in each. The Panthers enter game five as -175 home favourites.
Coming off their first playoff loss, the Panthers will likely return to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Monday in their second attempt to advance to the next round. Bobrovsky struggled in the Panthers' 6-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.812 SV%), but was solid in his first three outings (3-0-0), allowing three or fewer goals in each. The Panthers enter game five as -175 home favourites.
Schmidt has yet to appear in the playoffs for Winnipeg but will replace Logan Stanley on Winnipeg's third defensive pair on Friday for Game 3 in Colorado. The 32-year-old had two goals, 14 points, 75 SOG, 16 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus in 63 games played during the regular season.
The Panthers are up 2-0 in their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and will look to take a stranglehold with a victory in game three. Bobrovsky has been terrific thus far, allowing two goals in each contest, including a save-of-the-year candidate in their 3-2 game-two overtime victory when he saved 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%). The Panthers enter action on Thursday with even -105 odds.
The Panthers are up 2-0 in their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning and will look to take a stranglehold with a victory in game three. Bobrovsky has been terrific thus far, allowing two goals in each contest, including a save-of-the-year candidate in their 3-2 game-two overtime victory when he saved 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%). The Panthers enter action on Thursday with even -105 odds.
Bennet took a puck to the hand and exited Tuesday's 3-2 game-two victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning after playing only 7:42 time-on-ice. Despite leaving early in the second period, Bennet still managed to end game two with a two-point effort, scoring one goal and one assist.
After a 3-2 victory in game one, the Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes again. The veteran netminder was solid in game one, despite not being overly tested, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in the victory. The Panthers enter game two as -170 home favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bobrovsky enjoyed his best season as a Panthers in 2023-24, going 36-14-7 with a 2.37 GAA, .915 SV% and six shutouts. In the playoffs during his first four seasons with Florida, Bobrovsky has gone 18-17 with a 2.93 GAA and .909 SV%.
Ekblad did not play the final six games of the season for the Panthers due to an undisclosed injury but will be ready for game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Ekblad has seen a decrease in offensive productivity the last few years but is still a major part of the Panthers' blue line. He had 18 points (4G / 14A) in 51 games this season.
Entwistle will get the chance to play once more this year as he draws into Chicago's lineup for their regular season finale. He enters tonight's contest with five goals and five assists in 66 games.
Schmidt has not played the last six games but will draw back into the lineup for the Jets' final game of the season. The 32-year-old Schmidt has 13 points (2G / 11A), 64 hits, and 76 blocks in 62 games this season.
Ethan Del Mastro will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing Megna to make his return from a one-game absence. Megna has two points (0G / 2A), 51 hits, and 83 blocks in 42 games this season.
Ekblad has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on April 2nd but will be ready for the start of the playoffs. Ekblad has seen a decrease in offensive productivity the last few years but is still a major part of the Panthers' blue line. He has 18 points (4G / 14A) in 51 games this season.
Verhaeghe will return to the lineup sooner than anticipated and play on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before his injury, Verhaeghe scored 71 points (34G / 37A) in 75 games and was on pace to set a career-high in points.
Originally a game-time decision, Barkov will play on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The elite forward has been terrific lately, collecting 12 points (5G / 7A) in his last 10 games, being held off the scoresheet only once.
Barkov's status for Tuesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs will be determined closer to puck drop. The elite forward has been terrific lately, collecting 12 points (5G / 7A) in his last 10 games, being held off the scoresheet only once.
