\u201dBut it was great to be back out there. It\u2019s going to take some time to get the timing and everything back, but it\u2019s incredible being back out there, being part of the group.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Marchand made his mark on Sunday\u2019s game, too, helping force overtime by scoring his first goal of the season with 1:50 left in the third period. <\/p>\n
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\u2019s goal helped get the Panthers there on Sunday. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Marchand basically replaced Barkov with Sam Reinhart moving over to center for the first time since his days with the Buffalo Sabres. <\/p>\n
Coach Paul Maurice liked what he saw out of that line which also includes Brady Tkachuk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he touches the puck, something is happening,\u2019\u2019 Maurice said. \u201cHe\u2019s really competitive, as they learned. He\u2019s an unusual player, and as his linemates get more comfortable with him, they\u2019ll be able to do some things.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Marchand says his game can only get better.<\/p>\n
Maurice limited Marchand, again, playing in his first game since March 6, to just 13:10 on Sunday. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe potential is there for sure. They are both incredible players, make good plays,\u2019\u2019 Marchand said of his new line. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a few looks tonight, but it\u2019s tough for those guys. They know I\u2019m just getting back, and it\u2019s been almost six months since I played a game. I\u2019ve 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\u2019re working through that together. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut, when I get back up to speed, we have great potential to be a really good line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Aaron Ekblad left the team to return to South Florida to be with his wife Dayna for the birth of the couple\u2019s first child.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
ON DECK: GAME No. 4<\/p>\n
FLORIDA PANTHERS at LOS ANGELES KINGS<\/p>\n
When:\u00a0Tuesday, 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0Crypto Arena, Los Angeles<\/p>\n
National TV:\u00a0ESPN. Streaming:\u00a0ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+<\/p>\n
Radio:\u00a0WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM. Radio Streaming:\u00a0SiriusXM 932, NHL App<\/p>\n
Last Season:\u00a0Panthers won 2-0<\/p>\n
This Season \u2014 At Los Angeles:\u00a0Tuesday.\u00a0At Florida:\u00a0Jan. 24<\/p>\n
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