Ekblad has yet to play in 2023-24 due to offseason shoulder surgery but is eyeing Friday vs. Anaheim as a possible return to make his season debut. The 27-year-old heavy shooting defensemen has scored double digit goals in eight of his nine career seasons and had 14 goals, 38 points, and 68 PIMs in 71 games played in 2022-23.
Studnicka was placed on unconditional waivers by the Vancouver Canucks on Monday and has now, after clearing, been reassigned to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL. In five games this season, Studnicka has one point (1G / 0A) and a +2 plus/minus rating.
Studnicka was placed on unconditional waivers by the Vancouver Canucks with the intention of reassigning him to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL. In five games this season, Studnicka has one point (1G / 0A) and a +2 plus/minus rating.
Bennett's impending return is welcome news for him and the Panthers after he was injured after playing just 7:54 in his season debut. Bennett had 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.
Bobrovsky will get the nod against Chicago on Sunday in what shapes up to be an excellent matchup for the two-time Vezina Trophy winner. Bobrovsky has won his last four appearances, and he and the Panthers are favoured at -260 to keep that streak alive on Sunday. The 14-year veteran most recently allowed just two goals on 30 shots enroute to Florida's 5-2 victory over the Hurricanes on Friday. Bobrovsky leads the NHL with seven wins on the season while boasting a .907 SV% and a 2.65 GAA.
Nosek missed the Devils' previous 10 games due to a lower-body injury but has been activated from the injured reserve and was a game-time decision Friday vs. Washington. The 31-year-old failed to pick up a point in his two games played so far in 2023-24 but had 18 points (11G/7A) last season with Boston.
Nosek missed the Devils' previous 10 games due to a lower-body injury but has been activated from the injured reserve and is expected to play Friday vs. Washington. The 31-year-old failed to pick up a point in his two games played so far in 2023-24 but had 18 points (11G/7A) last season with Boston.
Bennett's availability for Sunday's game is still to be determined but his impending return is welcome news for him and the Panthers after he was injured, playing just 7:54 in his season debut. Bennett had 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.
Nosek has missed the last 10 games with a lower-body injury and is slated to make his return on Friday. In two games this season, Nosek was held without a point, averaging 12:10 time-on-ice. He is expected to play on a line with Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar.
As has been the case most of the season, Bobrovsky has had difficulty with consistency between the pipes. That said, his Panthers teammates have done a formidable job of generating offence and providing him with goal support of late. Despite three sub-.900 SV% efforts, Bobrovsky has not lost in regulation in his last five games (4-0-1), saving 120 of 132 shots in the process (.909 SV%). On Friday, Bobrovsky and the Panthers are +119 home underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes squad that has won five of their last six (5-1-0).
Balinskis has played 10 games for the Panthers but has been scratched in their two most recent contests in favour of Mike Reilly. Balinskis, who has zero points while averaging 14:07 time-on-ice, will return to the third defensive pair with Josh Mahura.
The 27-year-old rookie has registered zero points, seven blocked shots, and 13 hits across ten games with the Panthers this season. Mike Reilly will draw into the lineup in his place.
Bobrovsky has followed up on each of his four sub-.900 SV% appearances this season with strong performances and will look to do the same in his 10th start of the season on Wednesday. On Monday, Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 22 shots in a 5-4 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, preceded by a 22-save shutout the previous Thursday. Bobrovsky has had an up-and-down season, but all signs point to a promising performance on Wednesday as the Panthers visit a Washington Capitals team that ranks 31st in the league offensively (1.90 GF / GP). The Panthers are -130 road favourites and will look to build on their current 4-1-1 run.
Petry returns to the lineup in place of Justin Holl, who will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Petry has registered three assists, 12 blocked shots, and 10 hits in seven games this season with the Red Wings.
Gadjovich signed with the Panthers in the offseason but, after serving as a healthy scratch for the team's first 11 games, is being loaned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL for a conditioning assignment. Last season, Gadjovich had seven points (3G / 4A), 57 penalty minutes, and 92 hits in 35 games with the San Jose Sharks.
Bobrovsky will return to the crease on Monday to face his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his most recent game, Bobrovsky saved all 22 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season and is in the midst of a six-game run (4-1-1) that has seen him post a 2.16 GAA and .925 SV%. The Panthers are heavy -219 home favourites on Monday as the Blue Jackets have lost five of their last six games (1-3-2) and have been very poor offensively all season, averaging only 2.55 goals per game.
Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice said that there's a chance Ekblad returns after the Panthers' upcoming road trip to California, which runs from Nov. 14 to Nov.17. This puts Ekblad on track to play somewhere around Nov.20 when they host the Edmonton Oilers.
Balinskis has played all 10 games for the Panthers this season, this first of his career, registering zero points, eight shots, and a -2 plus/minus while averaging 14:07 time-on-ice. The Latvian defender will be a healthy scratch on Monday to make room for Mike Reilly to make his season debut.
