Rodrigues left after blocking a shot with his lower leg and did not return. In addition to Rodrigues, the Panthers also lost Aleksander Barkov in the first period, so they could be short-handed for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Rodrigues on Friday.
Barkov took an elbow up high from Alec Martinez in the first period of Thursday's 4-1 win in Vegas. Barkov left after playing just 4:54 TOI and did not return to the game. In addition to Barkov, the Panthers also lost Evan Rodrigues in the game, which could leave them shorthanded up-front for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Barkov on Friday.
Petry will slide back into Detroit's lineup on Thursday as they opt to dress seven defensemen in the absence of Andrew Copp (lower-body). Petry has one goal and nine assists in 29 games this season.
Gadjovich has found himself the odd man out of the Panthers' lineup for 11 straight games due to illness and lack of roster room but will draw back in Thursday as he replaced Nick Cousins (concussion). The 25-year-old bruising left-winger has failed to pick up a goal in nine games this season, but has an assist, 43 PIMs, 10 SOG and a -2 plus/minus.
Bobrovsky will search for his fifth straight win when he returns to the crease on Thursday evening. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky is playing his best hockey of the season, posting a .930 SV% over his last six games (5-1-0). The Panthers, winners of five straight, are slight -115 road favourites over a Vegas Golden Knights team they defeated 4-2 less than two weeks ago.
Bjornfot has only played one NHL game this season, the season-opener for the Kings, recording one block in 10:12 time-on-ice. He was been placed on unconditional waivers and claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
Tarasov will start for the second time in the last three games as the Blue Jackets will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Tarasov has allowed three or more goals in each of his four games this season (1-2-1), posting a .877 SV%. The Blue Jackets are +165 road underdogs against a Flyers club that has lost three straight (0-2-1) but defeated the Blue Jackets 5-2 on November 19th.
Balinskis made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with Florida after three seasons in the Czechia pro league and was rewarded Wednesday with a two-year, $1.7 million ($850,000) contract extension. The 27-year-old has managed to pick up a goal, an assist, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played in his first season in Florida.
Bjornfot has not played a game for the Kings since their season opener when he recorded one block in 10:12 time-on-ice. He has been placed on unconditional waivers and, if he goes unclaimed, will join the Ontario Reign (AHL), where he has scored zero points in nine games this season.
Petry has a goal, nine assists, 34 SOG, 10 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 29 games this year but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as Detroit heads to San Jose. Justin Holl will be brought in after a two-game absence to replace the 36-year-old Petry.
The Panthers will look for their fifth straight win as Bobrovsky will return to the crease after having the night off in their last contest on Saturday. Bobrovsky has been stellar lately, allowing three or fewer goals in five straight games (4-1-0), posting a terrific .927 SV%. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has not allowed more than four goals since the second game of the season and has a 2.50 GAA and .911 SV% thus far in the 2023-24 campaign. The Panthers are -160 road favourites against the Arizona Coyotes, coming off a 2-0 shutout victory over the Anaheim Ducks.
Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).
Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).
Petry skated on a pair with Ben Chiarot at practice on Thursday and is expected to make his return to the lineup after being unable to play on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. In 27 games this season, Petry has ten points (1G / 9A), 34 shots, 34 hits, and 49 blocks.
Petry played only 11:53 in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils before exiting with an undisclosed injury. He played 13 consecutive games for the Red Wings, recording four points (1G / 3A), 15 shots, and a +2 plus/minus rating.
Bobrovsky saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in the Panthers' last game before the Christmas break, an impressive 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and will return to the crease on Wednesday. The sometimes-inconsistent Bobrovsky has played well over the last month, posting a .916 SV% through nine games (6-3-0). The Panthers are slight -112 road favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-6.
Bobrovsky saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in the Panthers' last game before the Christmas break, an impressive 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday. The sometimes-inconsistent Bobrovsky has played well over the last month, posting a .916 SV% through nine games (6-3-0). The Panthers are slight -112 road favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-6.
