Florida facing Hurricanes searching for 12th consecutive road victory

A pair of key Florida Panthers players left Thursday’s game in Carolina early.

Forward Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Gus Forsling did not come out with their teammates for the start of the second period against the Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

Tkachuk’s last shift ended with 1:58 remaining in the first period. He went to the bench after taking a hit from Carolina forward Andrei Svechnikov in the Florida zone and spoke with Panthers head trainer Dave DiNapoli, though he never reentered the game.

As for Forsling, his most recent action came with 6:57 on the clock.

He did not appear to suffer any injuries during the shift, skating for about a minute before coming off the ice with a whistle.

Tkachuk appeared to take Svechnikov’s shoulder right to the chest, torso area. He didn’t go down but went straight to Florida’s bench and stayed there despite the Panthers having been called for an icing.

When the official came to inquire why Tkachuk wasn’t on the ice, Tkachuk pointed to his chest/stomach before putting his head down and then speaking with DiNapoli.

Neither player came out for the second period. 

Shortly after the start of the third period, the Panthers officially ruled both players out for the remainder of the game. 

UPDATE: After the game, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said both players were considered day-to-day. 

Maurice said Tkachuk and Forsling would be reevaluated on Friday. 

The Panthers are next in action on Saturday when they host the Washington Capitals at Amerant Bank Arena. 

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