Panthers Face Off Against Penguins Amid Injury Challenges

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers (42-25-3) will host the Pittsburgh Penguins (29-32-10) at Amerant Bank Arena on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, as both teams gear up for the final stretch of the NHL season. The Panthers, currently battling injuries, look to recover after a tough 6-3 loss against the Washington Capitals on Saturday.

“We’re definitely not taking these games lightly,” said Panthers forward Sam Bennett. “These are important games to prepare the right way for playoffs.” The Panthers face a daunting challenge with key players Matt Tkachuk and Brad Marchand sidelined due to injuries. Tkachuk is out for the season with a lower-body injury, while Marchand is week-to-week with an upper-body issue.

Head Coach Paul Maurice confirmed that defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will also miss significant time after his injury during a game against the New York Islanders. “Kulikov’s absence will be felt greatly, but we’re confident in our depth,” Maurice stated. The Panthers have turned to Tobias Bjornfot, called up from the AHL, to fill the gap left by Kulikov’s absence.

The Panthers have performed admirably at home, winning 10 of their last 11 games, scoring 39 goals while allowing just 11. With a successful penalty kill rate of 90.3% at home, they have been formidable in Sunrise. Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart lead the scoring for Florida, contributing significantly as they push for the Atlantic Division title.

Meanwhile, the Penguins aim to improve their standing, currently seven points behind the second wild card spot. They enter this matchup after a strong performance against the Blue Jackets, with Sidney Crosby scoring his 25th goal of the season in a 6-3 win.

Crosby leads the Penguins in points, while Rickard Rakell‘s 32 goals are also notable. Tristan Jarry is projected to start in goal for Pittsburgh, aiming to solidify their playoff position.

“Whoever is in the lineup just has to do their job,” said player Jonah Gadjovich. “We all know how to play. We still got to win these games.”

The game features an intriguing matchup as both teams have previously exchanged wins this season, including a notable overtime decision. With stakes high as the playoffs approach, both squads will look to secure valuable points in the standings.

As the Panthers prepare for this critical game against the Penguins, they know they must adapt and rise to the occasion despite the pivotal injuries. Fans can expect an exciting matchup as both teams work towards their playoff aspirations.

“We’ll process this one tonight,” said Coach Maurice, looking ahead to the Penguins game. “And we’ll start with tomorrow, tomorrow.”