Panthers captain Sasha Barkov speaks after Florida's 2-1 win in Seattle on Dec. 10 The Florida Panthers are hoping to be back at full strength on Monday night in Edmonton. Florida played their last game without captain Sasha Barkov, who missed the 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames with an illness. Barkov hasn't been back on the ice, but Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said after Florida's morning skate in Edmonton that there was a chance he could play against the Oilers. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] "I'm hopeful, but I can't guarantee it," Maurice said. It was the second straight game that Florida had been shutout, with the Panthers only being able to muster up a single goal so far on their ongoing five-game road trip. They opened the trip with a 2-1 shootout victory in Seattle, one in which Barkov played a key role. He scored the Cats' only goal during regulation and then added a highlight reel marker during the skills competition. Florida has done well over the past several seasons not to rush players back when they do exit the lineup, whether it be due to injury or otherwise. To no surprise, they are treating the situation with Barkov similarly. "We're going to be careful with these," Maurice said. "Guys will play through anything, but sometimes it's just not the smartest thing to do." If Barkov does suit up, he will do so because he is 100% capable of handling his usual workload. There is no point in playing him if he can't operate at Barkov-level proficiency. "We've got a good feel for him," Maurice said. "If he says he can play, then I'm not going to monitor his minutes. We'll get him out on the ice against one of their two big centermen as much as I possibly can." If Barkov doesn't play, look for Sam Reinhart to jump on a line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. The puck drops on the Stanley Cup Final rematch at 8:30 p.m. ET from Rogers Place. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Struggling Panthers arrive in Edmonton for Stanley Cup Final rematch [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/struggling-panthers-arrive-in-edmonton-for-stanley-cup-final-rematch] Three takeaways: Rush defense struggling while offensive game lacking punch [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-rush-defense-struggling-while-offensive-game-lacking-punch] Florida struggles in Calgary, shutout for second straight game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/florida-struggles-in-calgary-shutout-for-second-straight-game] Panthers in Calgary looking to bounce back from frustrating shutout loss [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-in-calgary-looking-to-bounce-back-from-frustrating-shutout-loss] The Hockey Show: PWHL talk with Ian Kennedy, teddy bear violence, outdoor game in Miami [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-pwhl-talk-with-ian-kennedy-teddy-bear-violence-outdoor-game-in-miami] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
