The Florida Panthers remain the class of the NHL’s Eastern Conference, despite today’s injury and lineup news and notes. Today, Paul Maurice and crew confirmed the fate of the Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk. Also, there is further lineup news for the Cats and Eetu Luostrinen and family are expecting a baby.
Panthers Matthew Tkachuk Injury Update News
Matthew Tkachuk remains one of the premier power forwards in the NHL with 57 points in 52 games this season. However, Tkachuk plays an all-out style and ended up getting injured in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament it seems. He and his brother both missed time, and even Brady Tkachuk didn’t suit up Saturday night for the Ottawa Senators vs the Habs.
Paul Maurice failed to mention many details. However, it is possible there were internet rumours swirling that he could have out for the season. So, it was appropriate that he shut them down, as any good front-office would want to convey.
Other Panther Lineup News
In more exciting news than Tkachuk, the Panthers family will be getting a little bigger. Eetu Luostarinen will join his wife for the couple to enjoy waiting together for the birth of their child. Therefore, he is out of the lineup for tonight’s game versus the Nashville Predators.
Other than that, the second-place in the NHL’s Atlantic Division Panthers do not have anyone else listed as injured. Mind you, those are a couple of significant lineup spots that will have to be replaced. Luostarinen’s numbers are decent this year with 20 points in 15:17 a night over 58 games this season. Even if the Panthers lost a little depth from last year’s Stanley Cup champion roster, it seems that returning players have stepped it up. A couple players that come to are Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett, members of the recent Team Canada, who have 62 and 35 points, respectively. We might add, 62 leads the Panthers.
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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