Both another round of injuries and some hopeful returns have resulted in another series of lineup changes for the Florida Panthers as they try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.
Defenseman Uvis Balinskis is out on Sunday as the Panthers begin a four-game road trip after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Florida coach Paul Maurice is listing Balinskis, who has been playing on the team’s second defense pair, as day-to-day.
Who fills in for him was not clear pregame. Veteran Dmitry Kulikov, who hasn’t played since Oct. 9 because of a shoulder injury, was activated off long-term injured reserve on Sunday. Maurice said Kulikov would be a game-time decision. Tobias Bjornfot would be the replacement if Kulikov can’t play.
Meanwhile, Jesper Boqvist will center Florida’s fourth line with A.J. Greer and Sandis Vilmanis on his wings. He is the third player to hold down that spot in as many games after Cole Schwindt sustained a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs that will sideline him long-term. Luke Kunin, who the Panthers placed on waivers Sunday, played the fourth-line center role on Friday.
The Panthers hope that Tomas Nosek, who hasn’t played all season while rehabbing offseason knee surgery, will draw into the lineup at some point on this road trip, which continues Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils, Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Friday against the Detroit Red Wings. When Nosek returns, he will become the Panthers’ primary fourth-line center.
Meanwhile, defense Seth Jones looks closer to his return from a fractured collarbone sustained while blocking a shot during the Winter Classic on Jan. 2. He was a full participant in Florida’s morning skate on Sunday in a normal jersey, which meant he was allowed to take contact for the first time since the injury.
“We’ll get some bumping on him,” Maurice said. “We think he’s closing in on it.”