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No three-peat: Florida Panthers eliminated from NHL playoff contention
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- No three-peat: Florida Panthers eliminated from NHL playoff contention
The Florida Panthers ' quest for a rare three-peat was almost over before it started.
The two-time defending champions were already without Matthew Tkachuk because of offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia that he played through during the playoffs.
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Then, on the first day of fall practice, captain Aleksander Barkov , a three-time Selke Trophy winner as top defensive forward, tore his ACL .
That was a major blow after an offseason in which general manager Bill Zito defied the odds and got Sam Bennett , Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad re-signed.
Instead of the Panthers pushing for the NHL's first three-peat since the 1980s, they were officially eliminated from playoff contention after a 9-4 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 4.
Normally, a team with Barkov's situation would place him on long-term injured reserve and bring in someone, but the newly enacted playoff salary cap makes that tougher to pull off.
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The Panthers opened the season with three consecutive wins then lost four in a row as the injuries piled up.
Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov had surgery for an upper-body injury in mid-October with an estimated recovery time of five months.
"We're not allowing any short-term injuries this year," coach Paul Maurice quipped at the time.
Eetu Luostarinen missed eight games with burns after a "barbecuing mishap." Seth Jones missed 2½ months after being hit with a puck at the Winter Classic. Marchand missed 11 games in the lead-up to the Olympics.
Tkachuk was able to return on Jan. 19 and the Panthers got to a season-best eight games above .500 (three points out of a playoff spot) on Jan. 25 before they fell again.
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After the Olympics, in which the Panthers sent a league-best nine players, the Panthers began shutting down injured players, including Marchand . And Niko Mikkola , Anton Lundell and Evan Rodrigues suffered long-term injuries recently.
"The most dangerous job in sports right now is to play for the Florida Panthers ," Maurice told reporters.
April 29: Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) checks Vegas Golden Knights center Nic Dowd (26).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Jeff Malott of the Los Angeles Kings and Jack Drury of the Colorado Avalanche fight during the first period in Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
April 22: Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) checks Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) in Game 3.
(Eric Hartline, Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres and Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins fight during the third period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 21, 2026, in Buffalo, New York.
(Joe Hrycych, Getty Images)
Tensions rise as Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) fights with Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) in the second period of Game 4.
(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)
April 13: The Seattle Kraken's Melanson and Los Angeles Kings' Samuel Helenius fight during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena.
(Stephen Brashear, Imagn Images)
April 11: The New York Rangers' J.T. Miller fights with the Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn during the second period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
April 5: The New York Rangers' Noah Laba (42) fights with the Washington Capitals' Hendrix Lapierre during the third period at Madison Square Garden.
(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)
April 4: The New York Rangers' Will Cuylle fights the Detroit Red Wings' Ben Chiarot during the third period at Madison Square Garden.
(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)
March 30: Anaheim Ducks' Radko Gudas and Toronto Maple Leafs' Max Domi fight during the first period at Honda Center.
(Ric Tapia, Getty Images)
March 27: The Chicago Blackhawks' Sacha Boisvert (12) fights with the New York Rangers' Will Borgen during the third period at Madison Square Garden.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
March 25: Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres players get into a scrum after the whistle during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
March 21: San Jose Sharks right wing Ryan Reaves (75) fights against Philadelphia Flyers left wing Garrett Wilson (10) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose.
(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)
March 14: The Vegas Golden Knights' Jeremy Lauzon (5) fights the Chicago Blackhawks' Tyler Bertuzzi during the third period at T-Mobile Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
March 10: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) collides with Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram (39) after being hit by Darnell Nurse.
(Ron Chenoy Imagn Images)
March 8: Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Corey Perry (10) and Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn (29) fight during the second period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
March 2: The LA Kings' Taylor Ward (52) checks the Colorado Avalanche's Sam Malinski into the boards during the second period at Crypto.com Arena.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
Feb. 28: Referee Cody Beach stops the fight between the Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael and Montreal Canadiens' Kaiden Guhle (21) during the third period at the Bell Centre.
Feb. 28: The Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk (7) battles along the boards with the Toronto Maple Leafs' Brandon Carlo in the second period at Scotiabank Arena.
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
Feb. 28: The Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg hits the boards alongside the Dallas Stars' Nils Lundkvist during the third period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
Feb. 5: The Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (left) and Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman fight during the second period at Benchmark International Arena.
(Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images)
Feb. 4: The St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn fights with the Dallas Stars' Justin Hryckowian during the second period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
Feb. 1: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman fight during the second period of the 2026 Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium.
(Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images)
Jan. 29: St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (left) fights Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer during the second period at Enterprise Center.
(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)
Jan. 27: Vancouver Canucks forward Evander Kane (91) fights with San Jose Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren during the second period at Rogers Arena.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
Jan. 19: San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (left) fights Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena.
Jan. 15: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy (5) fights with Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee (86) during the second period at United Center.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images)
Jan. 15: Boston Bruins center Alex Steeves (21) and Seattle Kraken center Ryan Winterton (26) fight during the third period at TD Garden.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
Jan 10: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) checks Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko (84) during the first period at Lenovo Center.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
Dec. 30: Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) fights with New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the third period at Scotiabank Arena.
(Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images)
Dec. 20: Philadelphia Flyers left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) and New York Rangers left wing Brennan Othmann (78) are separated by officials and teammates after a fight during the second period at Madison Square Garden.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
Dec 8: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua (81) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier (24) fight during the third period at Scotiabank Arena.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
Dec. 4: Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Bokondji Imama (14) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Curtis Douglas (42) fight in the first period at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Dec. 1: New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) fight during the second period at Prudential Center.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
Nov. 28: New Jersey Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (11) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) fight during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
Nov. 28: Philadelphia Flyers right wing Garnet Hathaway (19) checks New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) during the second period at UBS Arena.
(Dennis Schneidler, Imagn Images)
Nov. 28: Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews (19) checks Carolina Hurricanes center Justin Robidas (46) during the first period at Lenovo Center.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
Nov 24: Members of the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings fight at the end of the third period at Prudential Center.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
Nov. 22: Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) and Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic (10) fight during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Utah Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) fight during the third period at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
Nov. 16: The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings engage in a major scrum after their game at Madison Square Garden.
(John Jones, Imagn Images)
Nov. 6: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) fights Minnesota Wild center Tyler Pitlick (19) after his hit injured Carolina's Jalen Chatfield.
Nov. 6: Los Angeles Kings right wing Corey Perry (10) and Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) fight during the third period at Crypto.com Arena.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
Nov. 6: Buffalo Sabres center Josh Dunne (44) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
Nov 4: New York Islanders and Boston Bruins players get in a scrum after Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) was roughed by Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) during the second period.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
Nov. 1: Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) fights St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (75) in the first period at Nationwide Arena.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
Nov 1: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) hits St. Louis Blues right wing Jordan Kyrou (25) along the boards in the third period at Nationwide Arena.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
Nov. 1: Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) and Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (12) fight during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
Oct. 24: Calgary Flames right wing Adam Klapka (43) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64) fight in the first period at Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
Oct. 23: Boston Bruins left wing Tanner Jeannot (84) fights with Anaheim Ducks left wing Ross Johnston (44) during the second period at TD Garden.
(Bob DeChiara, Imagn Images)
Oct. 21: Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) and Nashville Predators defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) fight during the third period at Bridgestone Arena.
(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images)
Oct. 18: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) is held back by a linesman after scuffling with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Marchand is holding Dahlin's helmet and later pulled off the straps in the penalty box.
Oct. 18: Tampa Bay Lightning center Curtis Douglas (42) and Columbus Blue Jackets center Mathieu Olivier (24) fight during the first period at Nationwide Arena.
(Russell LaBounty, -Imagn Images)
Oct. 16: Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) checks Boston Bruins center Michael Eyssimont (81) during the first period at T-Mobile Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
Oct 14: Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel (6) checks Minnesota Wild center Yakov Trenin (13) during the first period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
Oct. 11: Calgary Flames left wing Ryan Lomberg (70) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
Oct. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) checks New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
Oct. 11: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn (5) fight during the first period at Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
Oct. 9: Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) checks San Jose Sharks center Philipp Kurashev (96) at center ice during the third period at SAP Center.
(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)
Oct. 9: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) and Ottawa Senators left wing Kurtis MacDermid (23) fight during the first period at Benchmark International Arena.
(Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images)
Oct. 9: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) checks New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the third period at Lenovo Center.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
Oct. 9: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) checks New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) as he goes after a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
Oct 7: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) points to Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) after he finished fighting Josh Manson during the first period at Crypto.com Arena.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
Oct. 7: Chicago's Nick Foligno fights with Florida's A.J. Greer during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena.
(Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
April 29: Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) checks Vegas Golden Knights center Nic Dowd (26).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
April 29: Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) checks Vegas Golden Knights center Nic Dowd (26).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Jeff Malott of the Los Angeles Kings and Jack Drury of the Colorado Avalanche fight during the first period in Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 26, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
April 22: Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) checks Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) in Game 3.
(Eric Hartline, Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres and Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins fight during the third period in Game Two of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 21, 2026, in Buffalo, New York.
(Joe Hrycych, Getty Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Tensions rise as Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) fights with Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) in the second period of Game 4.
(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
April 13: The Seattle Kraken's Melanson and Los Angeles Kings' Samuel Helenius fight during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena.
(Stephen Brashear, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
April 11: The New York Rangers' J.T. Miller fights with the Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn during the second period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
April 5: The New York Rangers' Noah Laba (42) fights with the Washington Capitals' Hendrix Lapierre during the third period at Madison Square Garden.
(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
April 4: The New York Rangers' Will Cuylle fights the Detroit Red Wings' Ben Chiarot during the third period at Madison Square Garden.
(Danny Wild, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 30: Anaheim Ducks' Radko Gudas and Toronto Maple Leafs' Max Domi fight during the first period at Honda Center.
(Ric Tapia, Getty Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 27: The Chicago Blackhawks' Sacha Boisvert (12) fights with the New York Rangers' Will Borgen during the third period at Madison Square Garden.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 25: Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres players get into a scrum after the whistle during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 21: San Jose Sharks right wing Ryan Reaves (75) fights against Philadelphia Flyers left wing Garrett Wilson (10) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose.
(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 14: The Vegas Golden Knights' Jeremy Lauzon (5) fights the Chicago Blackhawks' Tyler Bertuzzi during the third period at T-Mobile Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 10: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) collides with Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram (39) after being hit by Darnell Nurse.
(Ron Chenoy Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 8: Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Corey Perry (10) and Buffalo Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn (29) fight during the second period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
March 2: The LA Kings' Taylor Ward (52) checks the Colorado Avalanche's Sam Malinski into the boards during the second period at Crypto.com Arena.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Feb. 28: Referee Cody Beach stops the fight between the Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael and Montreal Canadiens' Kaiden Guhle (21) during the third period at the Bell Centre.
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Feb. 28: The Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk (7) battles along the boards with the Toronto Maple Leafs' Brandon Carlo in the second period at Scotiabank Arena.
(Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Feb. 28: The Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg hits the boards alongside the Dallas Stars' Nils Lundkvist during the third period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Feb. 5: The Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (left) and Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman fight during the second period at Benchmark International Arena.
(Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Feb. 4: The St. Louis Blues' Brayden Schenn fights with the Dallas Stars' Justin Hryckowian during the second period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Feb. 1: Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman fight during the second period of the 2026 Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium.
(Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Jan. 29: St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (left) fights Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer during the second period at Enterprise Center.
(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Jan. 27: Vancouver Canucks forward Evander Kane (91) fights with San Jose Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren during the second period at Rogers Arena.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Jan. 19: San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (left) fights Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena.
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Jan. 15: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy (5) fights with Calgary Flames left wing Joel Farabee (86) during the second period at United Center.
(Kamil Krzaczynski, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Jan. 15: Boston Bruins center Alex Steeves (21) and Seattle Kraken center Ryan Winterton (26) fight during the third period at TD Garden.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Jan 10: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin (74) checks Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko (84) during the first period at Lenovo Center.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Dec. 30: Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Matthew Knies (23) fights with New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the third period at Scotiabank Arena.
(Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Dec. 20: Philadelphia Flyers left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) and New York Rangers left wing Brennan Othmann (78) are separated by officials and teammates after a fight during the second period at Madison Square Garden.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Dec 8: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua (81) and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Maxwell Crozier (24) fight during the third period at Scotiabank Arena.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Dec. 4: Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Bokondji Imama (14) and Tampa Bay Lightning center Curtis Douglas (42) fight in the first period at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Dec. 1: New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) fight during the second period at Prudential Center.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 28: New Jersey Devils right wing Stefan Noesen (11) and Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) fight during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 28: Philadelphia Flyers right wing Garnet Hathaway (19) checks New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) during the second period at UBS Arena.
(Dennis Schneidler, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 28: Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews (19) checks Carolina Hurricanes center Justin Robidas (46) during the first period at Lenovo Center.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov 24: Members of the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings fight at the end of the third period at Prudential Center.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 22: Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) and Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic (10) fight during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Utah Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) fight during the third period at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 16: The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings engage in a major scrum after their game at Madison Square Garden.
(John Jones, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 6: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) fights Minnesota Wild center Tyler Pitlick (19) after his hit injured Carolina's Jalen Chatfield.
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 6: Los Angeles Kings right wing Corey Perry (10) and Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) fight during the third period at Crypto.com Arena.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 6: Buffalo Sabres center Josh Dunne (44) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov 4: New York Islanders and Boston Bruins players get in a scrum after Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) was roughed by Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov (91) during the second period.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 1: Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) fights St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (75) in the first period at Nationwide Arena.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov 1: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) hits St. Louis Blues right wing Jordan Kyrou (25) along the boards in the third period at Nationwide Arena.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Nov. 1: Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) and Buffalo Sabres left wing Jordan Greenway (12) fight during the first period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 24: Calgary Flames right wing Adam Klapka (43) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64) fight in the first period at Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 23: Boston Bruins left wing Tanner Jeannot (84) fights with Anaheim Ducks left wing Ross Johnston (44) during the second period at TD Garden.
(Bob DeChiara, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 21: Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) and Nashville Predators defenseman Adam Wilsby (83) fight during the third period at Bridgestone Arena.
(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 18: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) is held back by a linesman after scuffling with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Marchand is holding Dahlin's helmet and later pulled off the straps in the penalty box.
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 18: Tampa Bay Lightning center Curtis Douglas (42) and Columbus Blue Jackets center Mathieu Olivier (24) fight during the first period at Nationwide Arena.
(Russell LaBounty, -Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 16: Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) checks Boston Bruins center Michael Eyssimont (81) during the first period at T-Mobile Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct 14: Dallas Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel (6) checks Minnesota Wild center Yakov Trenin (13) during the first period at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 11: Calgary Flames left wing Ryan Lomberg (70) and St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker (75) fight during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 11: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) checks New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 11: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn (5) fight during the first period at Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) checks San Jose Sharks center Philipp Kurashev (96) at center ice during the third period at SAP Center.
(Robert Edwards, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) and Ottawa Senators left wing Kurtis MacDermid (23) fight during the first period at Benchmark International Arena.
(Kim Klement Neitzel, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) checks New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) during the third period at Lenovo Center.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 9: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) checks New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) as he goes after a loose puck during the second period at KeyBank Center.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct 7: Los Angeles Kings left wing Jeff Malott (39) points to Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) after he finished fighting Josh Manson during the first period at Crypto.com Arena.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Oct. 7: Chicago's Nick Foligno fights with Florida's A.J. Greer during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena.
(Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)
What did the Florida Panthers accomplish?
Now that the Panthers are out of the playoffs, here's a look back at what they accomplished in recent years:
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Won the Presidents' Trophy in 2021-22 but lost in the second round.
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Traded for Tkachuk in July 2022, recovered from a 3-1 series deficit against the record-setting Boston Bruins in the first round and reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1996. They lost in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights .
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Won the Atlantic Division title in 2023-24 and captured their first Stanley Cup title, beating the Edmonton Oilers in the final .
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Won four rounds in the 2025 playoffs despite lacking home-ice advantage and beat Edmonton again for back-to-back titles.
What's next for the Florida Panthers?
The Panthers' position near the bottom of the NHL standings will be advantageous. They moved their 2026 first-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks to acquire Jones, but it's top 10 protected so they should be able to hang onto it. This draft is considered deep.
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Florida moved Jeff Petry at the trade deadline but retained Sergei Bobrovsky and other pending unrestricted free agents and will try to re-sign them.
The Panthers had played 12 playoff rounds in the last three years, plus had heavy representation in the 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympics. A season out of the playoffs will help them rest and heal.
Once Barkov returns, the Panthers will automatically be better. If Bobrovsky re-signs and returns to form and Florida is able to avoid this season's spate of injuries, it should be a Stanley Cup threat again.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Panthers eliminated from NHL playoff contention; why champs are out
