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Florida Panthers News
Vanecek led the Devils onto the ice for warmups.

Vanecek stopped all five of five Bruins' shots as he was perfect in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood against Boston in his last time between the pipes. The 26-year-old has played well in his first season in New Jersey, with his 12-4-2 record, 2.41 GAA and .909 SV%. He will get a full game shot at Boston Wednesday, who holds the NHL's best record and snapped a four-game winning streak with a 3-2 shootout loss in the first game of back-to-backs Tuesday to these Devils.

Vitek Vanecek
Kaapo Kahkonen will start Thursday vs. Dallas.

Kahkonen allowed five goals on 25 shots (800 SV%) for his third straight loss as he took was defeated by Calgary in his last start. The Sharks' backup has been one of the league's worst goaltenders this season, with his 3-7-2 record, .872 SV% and 3.83 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have won seven of their last eight games after a 4-1 win over Winnipeg in their last game.

Kaapo Kahkonen
Aaron Ekblad is expected to draw back into the Panthers' lineup Thursday but is a game-time decision (upper-body).

Ekblad was considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury but it seems will not miss any time as he is expected to be in the Panthers' lineup Thursday vs. Montreal. The 26-year-old has had another injury-riddled season, but still managed to put up four goals, 10 assists and 72 SOG through 24 games played.

Aaron Ekblad
Aleksander Barkov is expected to play Thursday but will be a game-time decision (lower-body).

Barkov has six goals, 16 assists, 82 SOG and a +5 plus/minus through 25 games played and is hopeful and expected to return Thursday vs. Montreal. Barkov missed 15 games last season due to injury and will be hoping this is the last of his injuries this season after multiple trips so far to the shelf.

Aleksander Barkov
Vanecek is in the starter's crease at the Devils morning skate.

Vanecek stopped all five of five Bruins' shots as he was perfect in relief of Mackenzie Blackwood against Boston in his last time between the pipes. The 26-year-old has played well in his first season in New Jersey, with his 12-4-2 record, 2.41 GAA and .909 SV%. He will get a full game shot at Boston Wednesday, who holds the NHL's best record and snapped a four-game winning streak with a 3-2 shootout loss in the first game of back-to-backs Tuesday to these Devils.

Vitek Vanecek
Bobrovsky will start Friday against the Islanders.

Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 32 shots (.906 SV%) for his third loss in five starts as he was defeated by the New Jersey Devils. Bobrovsky has been improving his play as of late but his numbers are still reflective of his early struggles, with his 7-10-1 record, 3.25 GAA and .895 SV%. He will take on the New York Islanders, who are stumbling, having lost five of their last six games with a 5-3 defeat to the Rangers Thursday.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Aleksander Barkov is day-to-day and will miss Wednesday's game (lower body).

Barkov is not expected back to the Panthers' lineup until after Christmas as he deals with a lower-body injury. Barkov has six goals, 16 assists, 82 SOG and a +5 plus/minus through 25 games played but will miss Wednesday's game vs. Boston. Barkov missed 15 games last season due to injury and will be hoping that he is only day-to-day with this recent development.

Aleksander Barkov
Anton Lundell will return to the Panthers' lineup Wednesday vs. New Jersey (upper body).

Lundell has not played since Dec. 1st due to an upper-body injury and illness and it seemed as though he was close to returning last week, but will officially return Tuesday vs. New Jersey. The 21-year-old has four goals, 13 points, 56 SOG and a +9 plus/minus in 24 games prior to missing time.

Anton Lundell
Bobrovsky will start Wednesday vs. the Devils.

Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 32 shots (.938 SV%) for his second win in three starts as he beat New Jersey in his last time out. The 34-year-old has been better as of late, but struggled nonetheless this season, with his 7-9-1 record, 3.26 GAA and .894 SV%. He will face the plummeting New Jersey Devils, who have lost six straight after a defeat to Carolina on Tuesday night.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Aleksander Barkov will miss Monday's game vs. Boston as he is day-to-day with an injury (lower body).

Barkov has six goals, 16 assists, 82 SOG and a +5 plus/minus through 25 games played but will miss Monday's game vs. Boston as he deals with a lower-body injury. Barkov missed 15 games last season due to injury and will be hoping that he is only day-to-day with this recent development.

Aleksander Barkov