Balinskis started the season with the Panthers due to several injuries on the blueline but has spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), scoring 21 points (3G / 18A) in 37 games. He had a four-game stint with the Panthers in mid-March, last playing on March 26th. Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be a healthy scratch for the Panthers on Tuesday.
The Panthers, losers of three of their last four (1-2-1), will ride Bobrovsky for a third straight game on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Bobrovsky has lost two of his last three but was sensational last week against the Senators, saving all 30 shots he faced for his fifth shutout of the season in a 6-0 victory. The Panthers enter action as -243 home favourites.
Kahkonen has a 2.92 GAA and .918 SV% in five games (1-3-0) since joining the Devils ahead of the trade deadline. Akira Schmid has been recalled from the Utica Comets (AHL) as Kahkonen battles a lower-body injury.
Tkachuk did not play on Tuesday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers are already without Carter Verhaeghe for the foreseeable future and are eagerly awaiting Tkachuk's return.
Tkachuk did not play on Tuesday due to an illness but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers are already without Carter Verhaeghe for the foreseeable future and are eagerly awaiting Tkachuk's return.
Ekblad exited Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens after playing only 7:16 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. Ekblad's presence on the blueline will be a critical blow for the Panthers for the remainder of the season but all indications point to him being ready for the playoffs.
The Panthers have lost four of their last five and will return to Bobrovsky to tend the twine on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 16 shots (.688 SV%) in his last outing in a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers enter action as -153 road favourites against a Senators club they defeated 3-2 in overtime on February 20th.
Kahkonen will man the Devils' crease for the first time in four games and his fourth time since being acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline. The 27-year-old has played exceptionally better during his time with the Devils, as proven by his 1-2-0 record, 2.17 GAA and .934 SV% since being traded. He will head to New York to take on cross-town rivals in the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games and have the NHL's fourth-best powerplay this season (25.7%).
Balinskis started the season with the Panthers due to several injuries on the blueline but has spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), scoring 21 points (3G / 18A) in 37 games. He had a four-game stint with the Panthers in mid-March, last playing on March 26th.
Gadjovich returned to Florida's lineup after a five-game absence on Monday vs. Toronto but will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Montreal. The 25-year-old bruiser has enjoyed a decent first season in Florida, with his two goals, four points, 29 SOG and 97 PIMs across 36 games played.
Verhaeghe left Monday's loss in Toronto and will be sidelined for at least one week. The Panthers are hopeful that he'll be back for the postseason, but this is obviously a huge blow to their top-6, which will also be without Matthew Tkachuk (illness) on Tuesday. Look for Vladimir Tarasenko to move up to the top line in Verhaeghe's absence.
Tkachuk will not play Tuesday in Montreal, which would be a big blow by itself, but with Carter Verhaeghe also sidelined, the Panthers are down two of their top scorers. Nick Cousins will draw into the lineup to replace Tkachuk.
Black is a 6'8 goalie out of Michigan who has spent the last two seasons playing collegiate hockey with Dartmouth College. The 22-year-old netminder has a 2.58 GAA and .910 SV% in 30 games this season (13-8-8).
Gadjovich and Ryan Lomberg will draw back into the lineup for the Panthers on Monday as Nick Cousins and Steven Lorentz will be healthy scratches. Gadjovich has four points (2G / 2A) and 66 hits in 35 games this season.
The Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky for the third time in the last four games on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky snapped his five-game losing skid on Saturday in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Detroit Red Wings when he saved 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%). The Panthers enter action as -128 road favourites on Monday against the Maple Leafs.
