Florida has recalled Mackie Samoskevich from AHL Charlotte to join the team in Nashville
Florida has recalled Mackie Samoskevich from AHL Charlotte to join the team in Nashville
The Florida Panthers are playing it safe with their captain.
Sasha Barkov will miss his third straight game when the Panthers hit the road for a quick trip to Nashville on Monday night.
He was not on the ice for Florida’s full team practice on Sunday at Amerant Bank Arena and he wasn’t on their flight to Tennessee later in the afternoon.
Barkov has been dealing with a lower-body injury that Maurice had previously said would keep Barkov out of the lineup until he was 100% healed and recovered.
"There's no setback," Maurice said. "I'm hopeful for Arizona."
Maurice said Barkov wouldn’t travel with the team to Nashville, but instead would stay behind with Panthers Skills Coach Maxim Ivanov and get in some skating each of the two days they’re gone.
With Florida also missing Will Lockwood for the next three games due to suspension, the Panthers are calling up Mackie Samoskevich from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers to join the team in Nashville.
The 21-year-old first-year pro is enjoying a solid season with the Checkers.
Samoskevich has racked up 11 goals and 26 points through 32 games in the AHL.
He picked up four points in three games earlier this week before having the streak snapped during Saturday’s loss to the Toronto Marlies.
During Sunday's practice, injured forward Nick Cousins skated in a non-contact jersey on the third line, with Kevin Stenlund and Evan Rodrigues.
With Cousins on IR and not playing Monday, it's possible he was skating as a placeholder for Samoskevich, with the rest of the forward lines from Sunday remaining intact for the matchup with Nashville.
Entering play Monday, Florida has lost each of its past four games, all on home ice.
The string of defeats came immediately after the Panthers reeled of nine straight wins. Now they’re looking to get back on track, but its proven difficult without their captain.
Barkov, a key member of Florida’s penalty kill, probably would’ve helped on Friday when the Panthers surrendered a team-record-tying five power play goals in a 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
He’s also been an assist machine over the past month, registering 16 helpers over his past 11 games.
The hope is Barkov spends the next 72 hours healing so he's ready to face the Coyotes on Wednesday, but that will only happen if he's is completely recovered.
"Like I said, he's not coming in at 93% or whatever with this injury," Maurice said. "If he comes back into the Arizona game he's 100% right and ready."
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