Panthers Monitoring Key Injuries Ahead of Winnipeg Matchup
The Florida Panthers are walking a tightrope right now when it comes to player health, and Monday night’s game against San Jose nearly tipped the balance. Defenseman Niko Mikkola left the game in the second period, sparking concern for a team that can’t afford to lose any more key contributors.
But the good news? It looks like Florida dodged a bullet.
Mikkola sat out Wednesday’s practice at the IcePlex, but head coach Paul Maurice offered some reassurance, saying the absence was precautionary and that Mikkola is expected to be in the lineup Thursday night when the Panthers take on the Jets in Winnipeg.
“It was just another day of rest for him,” Maurice said.
The sequence that raised eyebrows came late in the second period against the Sharks. Mikkola logged just 10 seconds on the ice following a media timeout before heading to the bench and exiting. There wasn’t an obvious incident on that shift or any earlier ones, which made the situation a bit of a mystery.
Maurice clarified that the issue wasn’t new, but rather something that occasionally flares up.
“It was just something we couldn’t get settled down,” he said. “He has played without feeling it, but it does creep up every once in a while. Usually a couple of days settles it right down.”
That’s encouraging news for a Panthers blue line that’s already without Seth Jones, who’s been sidelined since the Winter Classic on January 2. Jones was moved to long-term injured reserve to make room for Matthew Tkachuk’s return, and while he’s technically eligible to return next Tuesday against Utah, Maurice shut down any notion of an early comeback.
“There was originally a week-to-week idea,” Maurice said. “Then it was 2-4 [weeks] or whatever, but it will be the full extent of that.”
In fact, Team USA officially removed Jones from their roster on Wednesday due to the injury, eliminating any hope of a quicker recovery timeline.
Meanwhile, Brad Marchand was back on the ice Wednesday, filling in for Sam Reinhart, who took a maintenance day. Marchand has missed the last six games after leaving Florida’s matchup in Toronto earlier this month. He’s been out of the no-contact jersey for a few days now, and while that’s a positive sign, Maurice wasn’t ready to commit to his return just yet.
“He’s certainly close, day-to-day,” Maurice said. “Whether that happens on this road trip, I don’t know yet.
We’re just trying to build off how he comes in each day. Felt better today than he expected to, got through practice.
Need him to wake up tomorrow and probably the next day before we start feeling that he’s right there.”
As the Panthers prepare for Game 49 of the season, they’ll head into Winnipeg with cautious optimism. The team is still holding its own in the standings, but the margin for error is razor-thin. With Mikkola likely back, Marchand inching closer, and Jones still on the mend, Florida is doing everything it can to manage the grind of an NHL season without letting injuries derail their momentum.
Next Up:
Florida Panthers at Winnipeg Jets
📍 Canada Life Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba
🕗 Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
📺 Scripps Sports (WSFL 39, WHDT 9, LAFF 36.3), Panthers+, ESPN+
📻 WQAM, WBZT 1230-AM, WCTH 100.3-FM, SiriusXM 932, NHL App
Recent Series History:
- Last season: Split 1-1
- This season: Thursday in Winnipeg; Jan. 31 in Florida
- All-time: Jets/Thrashers lead 55-32-8 with 5 ties
Looking Ahead:
- Saturday at Minnesota Wild, 9 p.m. ET
The Panthers are in the thick of the season, and every shift counts. With health being monitored closely and key players nearing returns, this road trip could be a pivotal stretch in Florida’s campaign.