Florida Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice watches over a team practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Coral Springs. (Florida Panthers) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/764bce17-135a-4423-8251-6840fdd978b9.png] Florida Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice watches over a team practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Coral Springs. (Florida Panthers) Monday is day three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s been a fun start to the best postseason in all of sports, and now we’ll start getting into the drama of a seven-game series as we’ve already got a pair of Game 2’s. By the time the night is over, only the series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will have yet to begin. When the puck finally does drop on Game 1 between the Cats and Bolts, it’ll kick off one of the more anticipated matchups of the opening round. While the longer wait can be frustrating for a fanbase frothing at the mouth to defend their Stanley Cup title from a season ago, the Panthers are embracing the additional time before the madness begins. Remember, Florida was far from full strength down the stretch of the regular season. Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice regularly rested his players over the past few weeks, and made no secret about his intention to have the Cats as healthy as possible for the start of the playoffs. Among the players given nights off to allow extra healing and rest time were Sam Bennett, Sasha Barkov, Gus Forsling, Sam Reinhart and several others. Maurice has since said that every player on the active roster should be good to go for Game 1 against Tampa Bay, but that does not include Florida’s All-Star who remains on LTIR. Matthew Tkachuk practiced with the Panthers on Saturday for the first time since he suffered an apparent groin injury during the 4 Nations Face-off in February. He should be back on the ice with Florida on Monday, barring any setbacks following Saturday’s skate. If all goes well, thanks to this late series start date, there is still hope that Tkachuk will be ready in time for Game 1 on Tuesday. As Maurice explained earlier this week, the team is doing their best to use the extra days to their advantage. “We’ll get an extra day skate, and it lets us accomplish both things: we’ll get the right amount of rest and also be on the ice enough that we can stay sharp,” he said. “To balance those two things, the extra days allow us to accomplish both.” The Panthers will head up to Tampa after their practice in Fort Lauderdale on Monday. Before they leave, we’ll likely get an update on Tkachuk, as Maurice also previously said that Monday would be a decision day regarding his status for Game 1. Stay tuned. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Florida Panthers bringing exciting on-ice projection system back for Stanley Cup Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-bringing-exciting-on-ice-projection-system-back-for-stanley-cup-playoffs] Matthew Tkachuk joins Florida Panthers for full practice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-joins-florida-panthers-for-full-practice] Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday, Florida Panthers will have to wait a few more days [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/stanley-cup-playoffs-begin-saturday-florida-panthers-will-have-to-wait-a-few-more-days] The Hockey Show: Stanley Cup Playoffs preview, Panthers ready to push for repeat [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-stanley-cup-playoffs-preview-panthers-ready-to-push-for-repeat] Maurice: Decision on Tkachuk coming Monday, everyone else 'possible for Game 1' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/maurice-decision-on-tkachuk-coming-monday-everyone-else-possible-for-game-1]
