The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers are preparing to face off, but both teams are contending with significant injury lists that could impact their lineups.
Bruins’ Projected Lineup and Lohrei’s Status
The Bruins’ projected lineup includes Marat Khusnutdinov, Fraser Minten, and David Pastrnak. Also expected to play are Casey Mittelstadt, Pavel Zacha, and Viktor Arvidsson. Lukas Reichel, Elias Lindholm, and Morgan Geekie are also in the projected lineup, along with Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly, and Mark Kastelic.
Jonathan Aspirot and Charlie McAvoy are slated as defensive partners. Hampus Lindholm and Henri Jokiharju are also expected to play on defence.
Alex Steeves, Jordan Harris, and Michael Eyssimont are listed as scratched. Mason Lohrei is currently listed as injured with an upper body injury. Lohrei, a defenseman, participated in the Bruins’ morning skate but remains day-to-day after missing two games.
Panthers’ Injury Woes and Lineup Changes
The Panthers face a lengthy list of injured players. Aaron Ekblad may be out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a broken finger blocking a shot. Dmitry Kulikov broke his nose off a deflected shot and will not play.
The projected forward lines include Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, and Matthew Tkachuk. Mackie Samoskevich, Eetu Luostarinen, and A.J. Greer are also expected to play, along with Noah Gregor, Tomas Nosek, and Jesper Boqvist. Nolan Foote, Luke Kunin, and Vinnie Hinostroza round out the forward projections.
Donovan Sebrango and Mike Benning are projected as defensive partners. Tobias Bjornfot and Mikulas Hovorka are also expected to play on defence.
Besides Ekblad and Kulikov, the Panthers’ injury list includes Evan Rodrigues (finger), Sam Reinhart (foot), Niko Mikkola (knee), Anton Lundell (ribs), Uvis Balinskis (fractured foot), Brad Marchand (lower body), Cole Schwindt (lower body), Aleksander Barkov (knee), and Jonah Gadjovich (upper body).
- Ekblad may be out for the remainder of the season.
- Kulikov will miss the game due to a broken nose.
- Hovorka and Bjornfot were called up from Charlotte of the American Hockey League.
Maurice’s Comments and Potential Returns
Panthers coach Paul Maurice indicated that Kulikov and Schwindt could potentially return during back-to-back games at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and Sunday.
The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NESN, SNO, SNE, SN1.