Returning to the road, the Florida Panthers are set for a three-game trip against Central Division opponents as they approach the Olympic break. The team is currently five points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with two games in hand.
After a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks at Amerant Bank Arena, players and staff emphasized the importance of each upcoming game. “From now on, every game is really important,” said Eetu Luostarinen after practice at Baptist Health IcePlex. “We just have to find the energy, play hard, play more physical, and win more battles.”
The Panthers will begin their trip Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre before facing back-to-back games against the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks over the weekend. Since November 1, Florida has recorded a 10-6-0 record on the road.
Head coach Paul Maurice commented on recent performances: “We really, really like three of our last five, and then we really, really don’t like two of them. Get off the extremes and get to a manageable game. I think we can play the way we did in the games that we like. I don’t think we were lucky or anything special happened. We were just very patient and played really hard, so that’s the goal.”
On player updates, defenseman Niko Mikkola is expected to return for Thursday’s game after leaving early during Monday’s match due to injury. Mikkola has averaged over 20 minutes per night this season and holds a +4 plus/minus rating through 48 games.
Brad Marchand could also be nearing a return from injury. Maurice stated Wednesday: “He’s certainly close. Day-to-day. Whether it happens on this road trip, we don’t know yet. We’re just kind of building off of how he comes in each day. He felt better today than he expected to; got through practice.” Marchand has posted 46 points in 41 games despite missing seven contests.
Defenseman Seth Jones will miss both NHL action and participation with Team USA at Milano Cortina 2026 due to an upper-body injury sustained during this year’s Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami after being struck by a deflected puck from New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere. Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe will replace him on Team USA’s roster.
Jones remains on long-term injured reserve after contributing 24 points across 40 games this season for Florida following his acquisition from Chicago last March. Maurice provided an update: “It was originally that week-to-week idea, 2-4, but it’s going to be the full extent of it now.”
Monday’s practice lines included Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand; Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – A.J. Greer; Mackie Samoskevich – Evan Rodrigues – Matthew Tkachuk; Sandis Vilmanis – Cole Schwindt – Jesper Boqvist among forwards; Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad; Tobias Bjornfot – Uvis Balinskis; Donovan Sebrango – Jeff Petry among defensemen; Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov as goaltenders.
Sam Reinhart did not participate in practice but is expected to be available for Thursday’s matchup against Winnipeg.