The Florida Panthers are inching closer to a full-strength lineup. Here’s the latest
Take a sigh of relief, Florida Panthers fans.
Team captain and star center Aleksander Barkov isn’t expected to miss playing time after his exit midway through the third period of Tuesday’s overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues — his first game back after being sidelined for three weeks.
Barkov was back on the ice Thursday as the Panthers (17-4-4) practiced at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona, ahead of their game against the Arizona Coyotes (5-18-2) on Friday to continue this three-game road swing.
“You’re always happy to see him on the ice,” interim coach Andrew Brunette said, “but it’s gotta be what’s best for him Guys have stepped up without him, so we know we can compete with out him, but we’re a much better team, obviously, with him.”
But the Barkov news was just the start.
Also on the ice and sharing the top line with the Panthers’ captain and star center: Anthony Duclair, who has missed the past six games with a lower-body injury.
Brunette said the hope is both Barkov and Duclair will be in the lineup on Friday and that defenseman Olli Juolevi is slated to make his Panthers debut barring a setback.
“It’s always good seeing guys get back on the ice and back at it,” said winger Carter Verhaeghe, who shares the top line with Barkov and Duclair. “They were diligent with their recovery and got back really quick.”
Should both Barkov and Duclair, it will be the first time the two are on the ice together in a game since Nov. 16 when Barkov sustained an apparent left knee injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Duclair played three more games following Barkov’s injury before being sidelined himself.
Barkov leads Florida with 10 goals this season despite only playing in 16 games. Duclair is tied with Jonathan Huberdeau with nine goals despite only playing in 19 games (Huberdeau, who also has a team-leading 21 assists and 30 total points, has played in all 25 of Florida’s games this season).
The Panthers hope the duo’s return will help end their current road woes. Despite leading the league in points percentage (.760) and sitting in a three-way tie with the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs with 38 points entering Thursday, Florida has lost seven consecutive road games — three in regulation, two in overtime and two via shootout.
“We’ve been average on the road,” forward Sam Reinhart said. “It’s a good opportunity for us to get back on track.”
As for Juolevi, the Panthers acquired the former top-five pick from the Vancouver Canucks in October but he has yet to play while dealing with an assortment of setbacks — most recently a groin injury.
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