Head coach Paul Maurice expressed that Barkov will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Coyotes, barring any unforeseen changes. Barkov has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and was on a tear before he left the lineup, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last five games.
The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes but will likely return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday evening. Bobrovsky's 2.55 GAA is his best since the 2017-18 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the veteran netminder has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (0-1-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding a two-game winning streak.
It's unclear whether this is injury related or simply a healthy scratch. Josh Mahura will draw into the lineup in Forsling's place. Forsling has seven goals and twelve assists in 45 games this season.
Barkov will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury when the Panthers travel to Nashville on Monday. Barkov will remain in Florida to get more ice time with the hopes that he'll be back for Wednesday's game vs. the Coyotes.
The positive news for the Panthers is that Barkov will not miss extended time, but he will not be available for Friday's contest against the Minnesota Wild, missing a second straight game due to a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Barkov was producing at a torrid pace, scoring 16 points, all assists, in his last 11 games. Anton Lundell is expected to skate on the top line alongside Sam Reinhart in his absence.
The Panthers have lost three straight after seeing their nine-game winning streak end last week and will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Thursday to get back into the win column. Bobrovsky has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four games (2-2-0), posting a subpar .890 SV% in the process. The Panthers will be facing a Minnesota Wild club that has been shut out in two of their last five games (1-3-1) but is coming off an impressive 5-0 victory over the New York Islanders.
Josh Mahura will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Kulikov to return from a one-game absence due to an undisclosed injury. In his last contest, Kulikov played only 13:49 time-on-ice, registering two hits and a -2 plus/minus.
After seeing a season-best nine-game winning streak end last week, the Panthers have lost two straight and will hope to return to the win column on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite being outscored 9-5 in their last two games (0-1-1), the Panthers are sizeable -205 home favourites against a Red Wings club that has won two straight but will be without offensive threat Patrick Kane. Bobrovsky, who has allowed three or fewer goals in seven of his last eight games (7-1-0) while posting a respectable .917 SV%, will likely tend the twine for the Panthers.
The positive news for the Panthers is that Barkov will not miss extended time, but he will not be available for Wednesday's contest against the Detroit Red Wings due to a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Barkov was producing at a torrid pace, scoring 16 points, all assists, in his last 11 games. Anton Lundell is expected to skate on the top line alongside Sam Reinhart in his absence.
After seeing a season-best nine-game winning streak end last week, the Panthers have lost two straight and will hope to return to the win column on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite being outscored 9-5 in their last two games (0-1-1), the Panthers are sizeable -205 home favourites against a Red Wings club that has won two straight but will be without offensive threat Patrick Kane. Bobrovsky, who has allowed three or fewer goals in seven of his last eight games (7-1-0) while posting a respectable .917 SV%, will likely tend the twine for the Panthers.
Josh Mahura will re-enter the lineup for the Panthers and Kulikov is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. On Saturday, Kulikov played only 13:49 time-on-ice, registering two hits and a -2 plus/minus.
Jones has not played since December 10th due to a shoulder injury but looks like he could return Saturday vs. Dallas after participating in full Friday at practice. The 29-year-old has struggled offensively this season with little help around him in Chicago, as he is yet to score a goal but has 11 assists, 60 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 27 games prior to the injury. He'll lineup up on first power play and the Blackhawks' top defensive pairing when he does return.
Tarasov will start for the fourth straight game on Saturday in the Blue Jackets' return to the ice in their first game since Tuesday. Tarasov has been underwhelming for the Blue Jackets this season, allowing four or more goals in five of his seven appearances (2-3-2), posting an ugly .883 SV%. The Blue Jackets have lost two straight (0-1-1) and will be hard-pressed to get back into the win column against a Seattle Kraken squad riding an eight-game winning streak.
Bobrovsky had the night off on Tuesday, but it was no issue for the Panthers as they won their eighth straight game in a convincing 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. The red-hot Panthers have excelled regardless of who is between the pipes lately, but Bobrovsky has been especially impressive, allowing fewer than three goals in four of his last six games (6-0-0), posting a .920 SV%. The Panthers are -136 home favourites against a struggling Los Angeles Kings team riding a six-game losing streak (0-4-2).
