Apr 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34), Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) battle to get to a loose puck during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2a473d2b-6647-40ea-a74e-0bb89a0e0119.jpeg] Apr 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34), Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) battle to get to a loose puck during the first period at Scotiabank Arena. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) The Florida Panthers continue their march toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night in Sunrise. Florida has already clinched their spot in the postseason dance and now the team is hoping to be as healthy as possible once they arrive. That has left the Cats with some different-looking lineups lately, and that could again be the case when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena. Florida’s previous game, a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, saw the Panthers suit up without Sasha Barkov, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Gus Forsling and Nico Sturm, joining injured Cats Dmitry Kulikov and Matthew Tkachuk watching in the press box. Despite the loss, the Panthers played pretty well in Detroit, particularly in terms of defensive communication and support. That is particularly impressive considering the influx of players who were either making their Panthers debut or had less than a handful of games played with the team this season. Rasmus Asplund, Jaycob Megna, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matt Kiersted have played a combined eight games for Florida this season, but each were called on to play crucial minutes and did well with the opportunity. Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said the team won’t hesitate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/were-just-healing-them-as-stanley-cup-playoffs-near-panthers-could-continue-holding-players-out] to hold players out of the lineup if they think it will help them get in better shape and health for the Stanley Cup Playofs, which are only a couple short weeks away. Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Tuesday’s tilt with Toronto: Carter Verhaeghe – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart Jesper Boqvist – Evan Rodrigues – Mackie Samoskevich Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand A.J. Greer – Nico Sturm – Jesse Puljujarvi Gus Forsling – Seth Jones Niko Mikkola – Nate Schmidt Jaycob Megna – Uvis Balinskis Scratches: Rasmus Asplund, Tomas Nosek, Dmitry Kulikov, Sam Bennett, Jonah Gadjovich LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA 'We're just healing them': As Stanley Cup Playoffs near, Panthers could continue holding players out [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/were-just-healing-them-as-stanley-cup-playoffs-near-panthers-could-continue-holding-players-out] Three takeaways: Panthers making best of injuries, Puljujarvi has strong debut [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-panthers-making-best-of-injuries-puljujarvi-has-strong-debut] Panthers drop fifth straight, ending road trip with 2-1 loss in Detroit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-drop-fourth-straight-ending-road-trip-with-2-1-loss-in-detroit] Three takeaways: Panthers doing more right than wrong, making progress despite losses [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-panthers-doing-more-right-than-wrong-making-progress-despite-losses] Florida Panthers clinch spot in 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-clinch-spot-in-2025-stanley-cup-playoffs]
