Can the Florida Panthers really go back-to-back?
With a dominant roster and playoff experience, the Panthers are poised to make a strong run at back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
Sports Pulse
Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart won’t play in Game 3 and is day-to-day after being injured during the team’s 5-0 win in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Reinhart was sent flying by a Sebastian Aho hit during the first period of Thursday’s game and the team said during the second period that he had a lower-body injury and wouldn’t return to the game.
Reinhart plays on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and had 57 goals last season. He’s a finalist (along with Barkov) for the Selke Trophy as top defensive forward after finishing with five short-handed goals.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Jesper Boqvist will play on the top line in Game 3.
Boqvist had already played with Barkov on that line when Evan Rodrigues was hurt. Rodrigues has returned, so the top line is Barkov, Rodrigues and Boqvist.
“There’s a familiarity there that lets those guys just go and play,” Maurice said.
(This story has been updated with new information).
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.