The positive news for the Panthers is that Barkov will not miss extended time, but he will not be available for Wednesday's contest against the Detroit Red Wings due to a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Barkov was producing at a torrid pace, scoring 16 points, all assists, in his last 11 games. Anton Lundell is expected to skate on the top line alongside Sam Reinhart in his absence.
After seeing a season-best nine-game winning streak end last week, the Panthers have lost two straight and will hope to return to the win column on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite being outscored 9-5 in their last two games (0-1-1), the Panthers are sizeable -205 home favourites against a Red Wings club that has won two straight but will be without offensive threat Patrick Kane. Bobrovsky, who has allowed three or fewer goals in seven of his last eight games (7-1-0) while posting a respectable .917 SV%, will likely tend the twine for the Panthers.
Bussi was recalled last week after Linus Ullmark suffered a lower-body injury, but his reassignment to Providence (AHL) indicates that Ullmark is likely ready to make his return to the Bruins.
Josh Mahura will re-enter the lineup for the Panthers and Kulikov is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. On Saturday, Kulikov played only 13:49 time-on-ice, registering two hits and a -2 plus/minus.
Jones has not played since December 10th due to a shoulder injury but looks like he could return Saturday vs. Dallas after participating in full Friday at practice. The 29-year-old has struggled offensively this season with little help around him in Chicago, as he is yet to score a goal but has 11 assists, 60 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through 27 games prior to the injury. He'll lineup up on first power play and the Blackhawks' top defensive pairing when he does return.
Tarasov will start for the fourth straight game on Saturday in the Blue Jackets' return to the ice in their first game since Tuesday. Tarasov has been underwhelming for the Blue Jackets this season, allowing four or more goals in five of his seven appearances (2-3-2), posting an ugly .883 SV%. The Blue Jackets have lost two straight (0-1-1) and will be hard-pressed to get back into the win column against a Seattle Kraken squad riding an eight-game winning streak.
Bobrovsky had the night off on Tuesday, but it was no issue for the Panthers as they won their eighth straight game in a convincing 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. The red-hot Panthers have excelled regardless of who is between the pipes lately, but Bobrovsky has been especially impressive, allowing fewer than three goals in four of his last six games (6-0-0), posting a .920 SV%. The Panthers are -136 home favourites against a struggling Los Angeles Kings team riding a six-game losing streak (0-4-2).
Bussi has been recalled from the Providence Bruins of the AHL, indicating that Linus Ullmark will be unavailable after exiting Tuesday's game in overtime with a lower-body injury. Jeremy Swayman is expected to take the reigns in the crease, while Bussi will serve as his backup. In 20 games with Providence (10-6-3), Bussi has a 2.97 GAA and .901 SV%.
Bobrovsky had the night off on Tuesday, but it was no issue for the Panthers as they won their eighth straight game in a convincing 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. The red-hot Panthers have excelled regardless of who is between the pipes lately, but Bobrovsky has been especially impressive, allowing fewer than three goals in four of his last six games (6-0-0), posting a .920 SV%. The Panthers are -136 home favourites against a struggling Los Angeles Kings team riding a six-game losing streak (0-4-2).
Bjornfot will get the chance to play on Wednesday after all as the Golden Knights will be forced to dress seven defensemen as Michael Amadio is unavailable due to illness. Bjonfot made his Vegas debut on Saturday and is yet to register a point in two games this season.
Samoskevich played three games with the Panthers earlier this season, being held off the scoresheet, but has spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, tallying 22 points (9G / 13A) in 27 games. Samoskevich was the 24th overall pick of the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.
Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.
