Florida Panthers goaltender Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Radko Gudas remain day-to-day with undisclosed injuries, but head coach Paul Maurice expects both players to be available for the team’s Oct. 21 game in Ottawa.
Markstrom and Gudas missed the Florida Panthers’ win at Columbus on Tuesday. Markstrom returned to the ice for Thursday’s morning skate at Baptist Health IcePlex, while Gudas could potentially return Saturday against the Seattle Kraken.
“Both making improvements,” Maurice said following the morning skate. “Jake was back on the ice [this morning]; Radko might get to a point where he can play Saturday, but we’ve got three days on the other side of it so it may make more sense to get him right. He’s purely day-to-day. He’s walking around and he’s just fine.”
Markstrom returns to the ice
Markstrom has a 2-1-1 record, a 2.03 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage and one shutout this season. The Florida Panthers acquired him from the New Jersey Devils in a trade during the summer.
Akira Schmid will continue as the Florida Panthers’ No. 1 goaltender while Markstrom is unavailable. The Panthers were scheduled to face the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday before hosting the Seattle Kraken at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday.
Gudas remains day-to-day
Gudas has recorded 13 hits, 11 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating through seven games. Uvis Balinskis has filled in for Gudas on defense during his absence.
Maurice said the Panthers could wait until Ottawa to bring Gudas back, even if he is ready to play Saturday. Florida will have three days off after the homestand before beginning a four-game road trip in Ottawa on Oct. 21.
“We’d expect both of them to be able to play in Ottawa,” Maurice said.
FSB Take
The Florida Panthers have flexibility with both injuries. Markstrom has resumed skating, Gudas could return Saturday, and the team’s schedule provides three days off before the Ottawa game. Maurice’s expectation is that both players will be available when the road trip begins.
Source: Original report