After 314 career NHL games, including 189 with the New Jersey Devils, Jesper Boqvist will play his first Stanley Cup Final game.
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed that the 26-year-old would draw into the lineup for Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place in place of A.J. Greer (lower body, day to day).
"Fortunately for us, it is not his first time in for us in the playoffs," Maurice said to reporters in Edmonton. "He hasn't been sitting for a long time. He has had some pretty good success when he has come in, and he fits."
This season is Boqvist's first playing for the Panthers after signing a one-year, $775,000 deal in July 2024. In the regular season, he appeared in 78 games, scoring a career-high 12 games and matching his season-high of 23 points. On March 4, he signed a two-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season.
This postseason, the 6-foot-1 forward played in 11 games, earning five points (two goals, three assists). Maurice has utilized Boqvist's versatility, playing throughout Florida's lineup from the top line to the fourth line.
Boqvist is one of three former Devils players who have carved out a role for himself in Florida's lineup. Tomas Nosek and Greer have been among the Panthers' key depth players who have made an impact throughout the postseason.
Game 1 between the Panthers and Oilers will take place on Wednesday at 8:00 PM EDT (TNT, truTV, MAX, CBC, SN, TVAS).
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