The Florida Panthers are dealing with a growing list of injuries, which coach Paul Maurice carefully addressed on Sunday night. Aside from Matthew Tkachuk, who is on long-term injured reserve, none of the injuries are serious, and most players would be ready to play if the playoffs began tomorrow.
It seems that a bit of rest will help improve the situation for many of these players.
Maurice is ensuring that they have all the time they need to be fully prepared for the postseason.
Despite the team’s current five-game losing streak and the panic on social media, the Panthers are still in a strong position. Maurice, while frustrated with the losses, is focused on being at full strength when the playoffs start in two weeks.
“We need to get some of these guys healthy,” Maurice said after the Panthers’ 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. “We need to make sure we’re physically right when the playoffs begin, but our schedule doesn’t give us much time. With five sets of back-to-backs in the last month, we knew we’d be up against it. We’re not resting guys—we’re healing them.”
The Panthers have five games remaining in the regular season.
Considering their current situation and Maurice’s approach to sitting out key players, it’s likely there will be more losses ahead. The Panthers return to Sunrise on Tuesday, but determining who will play at this point is uncertain.
As the regular season winds down, Maurice shared updates on individual players, with the focus now entirely on the upcoming playoffs. The Panthers are just waiting for the call on when and where to show up once the postseason begins.
FLORIDA PANTHERS INJURY LIST
Matthew Tkachuk (LTIR/groin): Tkachuk is skating and working toward being ready for the playoffs, but the team won’t have an update on his status until the final week of the regular season.
Sasha Barkov (upper body): Barkov has missed the last three games due to an injury sustained in the second period in Montreal on Tuesday. Maurice indicated that Barkov could return to play on Tuesday against the Maple Leafs.
Sam Bennett (undisclosed): Bennett is unlikely to play on Tuesday after being pulled from the lineup on Sunday, according to Maurice.
Sam Reinhart (undisclosed): Reinhart’s injury seems more like a break rather than a major issue. He hadn’t missed a game since April 29, 2022, before Sunday’s absence. With 295 consecutive games played, including 55 playoff games, he certainly deserves the time off.
Niko Sturm (upper body): Sturm, Florida’s fourth-line center, was injured in a collision with A.J. Greer in Montreal. He is expected to return this week.
Dmitry Kulikov (upper body): Kulikov has been out since March 16 after a clash with Anthony Duclair. He could return as soon as this week.
Gus Forsling (undisclosed): Maurice mentioned that Forsling’s status is something to keep an eye on, suggesting the possibility of him taking another game or two off.
Aaron Ekblad (suspension): Ekblad will be suspended until Game 3 of Round 1 after receiving a 20-game ban for a failed PED test.
ON DECK: GAME No. 78
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS at FLORIDA PANTHERS
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
National TV: ESPN
National Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
This Season (Panthers Lead 2-1):
- At Florida: Panthers 5, Leafs 1 (Nov. 27)
- At Florida: Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (March 14)
- At Toronto: Maple Leafs 3, Panthers 2 (April 2)
Last Season: Tied 2-2
All-time Regular Season Series: Toronto leads 51-39-7, 7 ties
All-time Postseason: Panthers defeated Maple Leafs 4-1 (2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals)
Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday vs. Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
