The Florida Panthers shut down Brad Marchand last March in the hopes that a few months off would help him get through nagging injuries and avoid surgery.
Marchand ended up needing surgery in August with the Panthers estimating he would not return to the lineup until November at the earliest.
Yet, on Sunday night, there was Marchand back with the Panthers.
“It was sort of a rude awakening being out there,’’ Marchand said after Florida’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. “I only had a few morning skates, practices with the guys. The speed of the game and the intensity certainly ramped up a ton.
”But it was great to be back out there. It’s going to take some time to get the timing and everything back, but it’s incredible being back out there, being part of the group.’’
Marchand made his mark on Sunday’s game, too, helping force overtime by scoring his first goal of the season with 1:50 left in the third period.
Florida has now been to overtime in each of its first three games of a season for the first time in franchise history, and Marchand’s goal helped get the Panthers there on Sunday.
With Sasha Barkov out at least the next three weeks with a suspected left knee injury, the Panthers certainly could use Marchand back in the lineup.
Marchand basically replaced Barkov with Sam Reinhart moving over to center for the first time since his days with the Buffalo Sabres.
Coach Paul Maurice liked what he saw out of that line which also includes Brady Tkachuk.
“When he touches the puck, something is happening,’’ Maurice said. “He’s really competitive, as they learned. He’s an unusual player, and as his linemates get more comfortable with him, they’ll be able to do some things.’’
Marchand says his game can only get better.
Maurice limited Marchand, again, playing in his first game since March 6, to just 13:10 on Sunday.
Of course, the Panthers spent a lot of time killing penalties on Sunday with the Ducks scoring all three of their goals with the man advantage.
“The potential is there for sure. They are both incredible players, make good plays,’’ Marchand said of his new line.
“We had a few looks tonight, but it’s tough for those guys. They know I’m just getting back, and it’s been almost six months since I played a game. I’ve only been skating for a month now. So, I kind of bring them down a little bit, just with my timing and the speed and all of that. We’re working through that together.
“But, when I get back up to speed, we have great potential to be a really good line.”
— Aaron Ekblad left the team to return to South Florida to be with his wife Dayna for the birth of the couple’s first child.
Maurice said Ekblad would not be flying back west; he will miss his second straight game Tuesday at Los Angeles. Ekblad will rejoin the team when it returns home.
ON DECK: GAME No. 4
FLORIDA PANTHERS at LOS ANGELES KINGS
When: Tuesday, 10 p.m.
Where: Crypto Arena, Los Angeles
National TV: ESPN. Streaming: ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+
Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM. Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
Last Season: Panthers won 2-0
This Season — At Los Angeles: Tuesday. At Florida: Jan. 24
All-time Regular Season Series: Los Angeles leads 27-17-1, 3 ties
Up Next for the Panthers: Home Opener — vs. Minnesota Wild, Saturday, 6 p.m.
George Richards is the publisher of Florida Hockey Now and has been the beat writer covering the NHL Florida … More about George Richards, FHN Publisher