



It's a tough break for Samoskevich who just returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with an illness. We should get an update on his status ahead of Florida's game against the Senators on Saturday.

Samoskevich has not played the previous few games for the Panthers but he will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 22-year-old Samoskevich is averaging 11:48 time-on-ice and has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 47 games this season.

The Panthers have outscored their opposition 14-4 in their last three games (3-0-0) and will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. After an uncharacteristically average first half of the season, Bobrovsky has been outstanding lately and allowed only five combined goals in his last four games (4-0-0) while posting a stellar .953 SV%. The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -116 road favorites against a Capitals team that defeated them 4-1 on November 25th.

The Panthers have outscored their opposition 14-4 in their last three games (3-0-0) and will likely turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. After an uncharacteristically average first half of the season, Bobrovsky has been outstanding lately and allowed only five combined goals in his last four games (4-0-0) while posting a stellar .953 SV%. The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -116 road favorites against a Capitals team that defeated them 4-1 on November 25th.


Tarasov will get the nod in the tail-end of Columbus' back-to-back when they travel to Utah on Friday. Tarasov hasn't appeared in a game since allowing six goals on 42 shots in a 7-4 loss to the Hurricanes on January 23rd. The 25-year-old netminder owns a 4-7-2 record and an underwhelming .871 SV% on the season. The Blue Jackets enter action in Utah on Friday at +180 on the money line.

The Panthers are coming off a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings when Bobrovsky saved all 29 shots he faced for his second shutout. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky returns to the crease on Saturday and will look to build on his 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% through 34 games (21-11-2). He has played much better lately, posting a .919 SV% in his last 13 games (7-5-1).

Bobrovsky has only started three of the previous seven games for the Panthers but will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has been inconsistent this season, posting a 2.80 GAA and .898 SV% in 33 games (20-11-2). That said, he has been better lately, posting a .912 SV% in his last 12 (6-5-1). The Panthers enter Wednesday's contest as -150 home favorites against a Kings squad that has lost four of their last five (1-3-1).







Jones was a surprise scratch on Friday with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups.

Ekblad has not played since January 8th, missing seven straight games, but returned to practice on Friday. The 28-year-old Ekblad is averaging 23:32 time-on-ice, his highest total in four seasons, recording 20 points (2G / 18A), 55 blocks, and 59 hits in 41 games this season.

A night after an impressive 5-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blue Jackets will switch to Tarasov between the pipes. Tarasov was excellent in his most recent outing, a 26-save shutout, his first of the season, in a 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old netminder has a 3.64 GAA and .872 SV% in 12 games this season (4-6-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as significant +320 road favorites despite playing their best hockey of the season, collecting a point in eight of their last nine games (7-1-1).
