Ekblad returned from a one-game absence in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club but his status for Saturday's game against the Boston Bruins remains up in the air. The 28-year-old Ekblad is averaging 23:32 time-on-ice, his highest total in four seasons, recording 20 points (2G / 18A), 55 blocks, and 59 hits in 41 games this season.

The Panthers will roll with Bobrovsky for a third straight game on Saturday when they host the Boston Bruins. Despite an unspectacular 4-3-0 record in his last seven games, Bobrovsky has been tremendous between the pipes for the Panthers, allowing three or fewer goals in each contest and posting a terrific .940 SV%. The 36-year-old netminder has a 2.69 GAA and .903 SV% in 28 games this season (18-9-1).

Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since, but will return to the lineup on Wedndesday. The 28-year-old Ekblad is averaging 23:31 time-on-ice, his highest total in four seasons, recording 20 points (2G / 18A), 54 blocks, and 59 hits in 40 games this season.

Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, missing five straight games, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.

Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since. The 28-year-old Ekblad is averaging 23:31 time-on-ice, his highest total in four seasons, recording 20 points (2G / 18A), 54 blocks, and 59 hits in 40 games this season.

Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, missing five straight games, but could return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.

Bobrovsky has been stellar in consecutive losses (0-2-0), saving 68 of 72 shots (.944 SV%), but has failed to receive ample goal support from his teammates. He has a 2.76 GAA and .901 SV% in 27 games this season (17-9-1). The Panthers have scored two or fewer goals in four of their last six games (2-4-0) and enter Wednesday's contest as -129 road favorites against the Utah Hockey Club, losers of six of their last seven (1-4-2).

Sturm missed San Jose's previous game due to a lower-body injury and will remain out on Tuesday vs. Vegas as he remains day-to-day with the ailment. The 29-year-old undrafted German forward has been a staple in San Jose's bottom six this season, with four goals, nine points and 23 SOG in 36 games played.

Puljujarvi had been limited only 21 games with Pittsburgh this season, scoring eight points (3G / 5A) while being in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Edmonton Oilers, Puljuarvi has played on three different teams over the course of the last three seasons. He has 126 points (57G / 69A) in 377 career games. Anthony Beauvillier will exit the lineup to accommodate Puljujarvi's return.

With Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola both sidelined with undisclosed injuries, Bjornfot will get the opportunity to make his season debut on Monday against the Avalanche. Bjornfot has two goals and nine assists in 27 AHL games this season.

Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, and will now miss his fifth straight game. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.

Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since. With Niko Mikkola (undisclosed) also sidelined Monday, the Panthers have recalled Tobias Bjornfot from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), who is set to make his season debut.

The Panthers will return to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. Bobrovsky was excellent in his previous outing, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.78 GAA and .899 SV% in 26 games this season (17-8-1) but has been more impressive lately, allowing only 10 goals in his past five games (3-2-0), posting a stellar .936 SV%. The Panthers enter Monday's contest as +108 road underdogs against an Avalanche club that has scored four or more goals in six of their last seven (6-0-1).

Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, missing the past four games. He could return to the lineup on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.

Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since, making his status for Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche uncertain. With Niko Mikkola (undisclosed) also a game-time decision on Monday, the Panthers have recalled Tobias Bjornfot from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).