Sturm missed three games earlier this month with a lower-body injury, returned to the lineup for five games, and is once again sidelined. The 29-year-old Sturm is averaging 9:51 time-on-ice and has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 41 games this season.
Sturm missed three games earlier this month with a lower-body injury, returned to the lineup for five games, and is once again sidelined. He is not eligible to return to the lineup until, at earliest, January 27th against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Panthers shut out the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 with Spencer Knight between the pipes on Saturday, but the team will switch to Bobrovsky in a rematch on Tuesday. Bobrovsky has struggled lately, allowing four goals in three straight (0-2-1), posting an ugly .806 SV%. The 36-year-old netminder has a 2.86 GAA and .896 SV% in 31 games this season (18-11-2). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -256 road favorites against a Ducks squad amid a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).
The Panthers had Spencer Knight in their crease on Tuesday's 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils but will revert to Bobrovsky on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Bobrovsky has struggled in his last two contests (0-1-1), allowing eight combined goals on 47 shots (.830 SV%). The veteran netminder has a 2.78 GAA and .899 SV% in 30 games this season (18-10-2). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -236 home favorites against a Red Wings club whose seven-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday.
The Panthers had Spencer Knight in their crease on Tuesday's 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils but will revert to Bobrovsky on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Bobrovsky has struggled in his last two contests (0-1-1), allowing eight combined goals on 47 shots (.830 SV%). The veteran netminder has a 2.78 GAA and .899 SV% in 30 games this season (18-10-2). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -236 home favorites against a Red Wings club whose seven-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday.
With Evgeni Malkin being activated from Injured Reserve, Puljujarvi has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). The 26-year-old Puljujarvi is averaging 11:35 time-on-ice and has nine points (3G / 6A) in 25 games this season.
The Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky for a fourth straight game on Monday when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers. Bobrovsky struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 18 shots (.778 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. That said, the 36-year-old netminder has played well lately, posting a solid .927 SV% across his previous eight games (4-3-1). Bobrovsky started his career with the Flyers and has been excellent against them, posting a 2.35 GAA and .921 SV% in 28 career games (20-7-1). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as -179 road favorites against the Flyers.
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).
