FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers practiced Wednesday before their flight to Columbus, missing a few key players due to injury and suspension. As the season winds down, the Panthers are facing a manpower shortage that may create opportunities for others to step into vital roles.
The absence of Aaron Ekblad, who is serving a suspension, has opened the door for Seth Jones. Although he hasn't recorded significant statistics since joining the Panthers, he leads the team in time-on-ice in the six games he has played. "We feel very comfortable with him in our lineup," stated head coach Paul Maurice.
Meanwhile, Dmitry Kulikov is currently sidelined with an injury described as "week-to-week," which presents an opportunity for Toby Bjornfot. Bjornfot had previously impressed during an eight-game stint while Ekblad was out. Claimed from the Vegas Golden Knights last March, he has gained confidence and provides depth to the roster.
Another player taking advantage of his moment is Mackie Samoskevich. Since moving up to the second line alongside Sam Bennett—following the injury to Matthew Tkachuk—Samoskevich has netted five goals and recorded eight points in the last eight games. "It’s definitely nice playing with a guy who is such a physical presence out there (Bennett)," Samoskevich noted. "He could do a lot more than just that, too, but definitely fun playing with him."
Although the Panthers struggle with injuries, they head into Columbus to face a Blue Jackets team that is quickly losing ground in the playoff race. The Jackets have lost four straight games and six out of their last seven, managing to score only one goal in the last three matches.
On the statistical front, their goaltenders—Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov—have both recorded goals-against averages above 3.00 and save percentages below .900, ranking Columbus as No. 27 in the NHL for goals against per game. Despite these struggles, they boast a respectable No. 10 for goals for.
Among individual performances on the Jackets, Zach Werenski leads the team with 20 goals and an impressive 69 points during an otherwise rocky season. Kirill Marchenko has emerged with 25 goals, and Kent Johnson has contributed 21 goals in his own injury-stricken season. Collected together, Columbus features five players with 20 or more goals — Adam Fantilli and Dmitri Voronkov joining the ranks with 21 and 20 goals, respectively.
On the negative side, Sean Monahan's production has noticeably dipped. He is in the first year of a five-year contract worth $27.5 million, but his season was plagued by a 25-game injury absence. Others like former Panther Erik Gudbranson have dealt with significant injuries, having played only three games all season due to shoulder surgery. Boone Jenner has only recently returned from his shoulder injury and is still looking for his first goal this season, while Cole Sillinger is also expected back after missing the last eight games with his own injury.
As they prepare for the matchup, the Jackets are honoring the memory of star player Johnny Gaudreau, who tragically passed away. His No. 13 jersey hangs prominently at both home and away games in remembrance. Should the Jackets manage to rally and secure a playoff spot, it could shift the narrative around their season to one of resilience.
Looking ahead to their clash, the Panthers' upcoming game against the Blue Jackets is set for Thursday, March 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. This season, the Panthers have had the upper hand against Columbus, leading the series 2-0 with victories of 3-0 and 4-3 in previous encounters.
After facing the Jackets, the Panthers will shift their focus to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. With vital implications at stake for both teams, every game counts as they push towards the playoffs.
In this unforgiving league, the Panthers must harness these opportunities as they navigate their challenges. The unfolding dynamics present intrigue and, perhaps more importantly, the chance for unexpected heroes to emerge.