Barkov has eight points (3G / 5A) in his last six games and is expected to play on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Newcomer Vladimir Tarasenko lined up on the first line with Barkov and Sam Reinhart on Saturday and the trio connected for three even-strength goals.
Rodrigues was limited to only 9:05 time-on-ice in his last game before exiting with a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Rodrigues had three points (2G / 1A) in his last four games.
Ekblad exited Saturday's 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames in the first period after playing only 5:10 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Ekblad had two points (0G / 2A) during a two-game point streak. The Panthers will likely be cautious with him for the remainder of the season as they approach the playoffs.
Schmidt will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing newcomer Colin Miller to make his Jets' debut. Schmidt played the last two games for the Jets, averaging over 18 minutes time-on-ice while tallying two shots on and two hits.
Vanecek has been on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, but will likely serve in a timeshare with Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes for the Sharks upon his return. The 28-year-old Vanecek struggled this season with the New Jersey Devils, posting a career-worst 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% in 32 games (17-9-3).
Kahkonen joins a Devils club that already acquired Jake Allen via trade earlier on Friday, likely indicating that they will be riding a new tandem between the pipes for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old Kahkonen was serviceable on a defensively poor Sharks team this season, posting a 3.81 GAA and .895 SV% through 31 games (6-20-3).
Bjornfot has not played an NHL game since January 10th and was placed on waivers on Thursday. In three games this season, the 22-year-old Bjornfot has zero points, two hits, and five blocks.
Bobrovsky will be back between the pipes for the Panthers on Thursday after Anthony Stolarz got the nod in Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Devils. Bobrovsky picked up a third straight victory his last time out, allowing just two goals on 28 shots in Monday's 4-2 victory over the Rangers. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner owns a 31-11-2record on the year and a .918 SV%. He draws another strong matchup on Thursday with the Panthers being -260 favourites over the Flyers.
Amongst the flurry of trades made by Florida during the deadline, William Lockwood was reassigned to Charlotte (AHL) after clearing waivers on Thursday. The 25-year-old offers the Panthers some forward depth in the minors as he had an assist, 19 SOG, 16 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 26 games played before being waived.
Cormier was the fourth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 26-year-old netminder has never played an NHL game and has struggled with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) this season, posting a 3.78 GAA and .868 SV% in five games (1-2-2).
Bjornfot has not played an NHL game since January 10th and was placed on waivers on Thursday. In three games this season, the 22-year-old Bjornfot has zero points, two hits, and five blocks.
Gadjovich has impressed in his first season with the Panthers, playing in a bottom-six role, and has been rewarded with a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension. The 25-year-old Gadjovich has four points (2G / 2A) in 33 games this season.
Forsling has been the picture of consistency for the Panthers the last several seasons and has been rewarded with an eight-year, $46 million contract extension. The 27-year-old defender has 30 points (9G / 21A) in 61 games this season, averaging nearly 0.5 points per game, as he has the last two seasons.
Lockwood was a healthy scratch the last two games for the Panthers and was placed on waivers on Wednesday. The move comes directly after the Panthers acquired Vladimir Tarasenko in a trade with the Ottawa Senators.
Magnus Chrona was excellent in his second career start on Saturday, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, but the Sharks will turn to Kahkonen in a rematch on Tuesday night. Kahkonen has allowed four or more goals in four of his last five outings (0-5-0), including four on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The Sharks enter action as significant +340 home underdogs.
Schmidt appeared in the last five games for the Jets, registering one assist, nine shots, and 10 hits, but will not play on Tuesday due to an illness. Logan Stanely will draw back into the lineup in Schmidt's absence.
Bobrovsky, fresh off a 21-save shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, will return to the crease on Monday. The Panthers are 14-2-0 in their last 16, with Bobrovsky boasting a spectacular .949 SV% while allowing two or fewer goals in 10 straight contests (9-1-0). Bobrovsky and the Panthers enter action as -130 road favourites against the New York Rangers, who are 8-1-1 in their last 10.
Reese Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Entwistle to re-enter the lineup. Entwistle scored on February 25th, his only one point in the last 32 games.
Jonah Gadjovich will return from a two-game absence due to an undisclosed injury on Monday, sending Lockwood to the press box as a healthy scratch. In Lockwood's absence, Gadjovich averaged over seven minutes of time on ice and registered three hits.
