The Florida Panthers made two roster moves Wednesday afternoon as their injuries continue to mount.
Both Toby Bjornfotand Mikulas Hovorkawere brought up from the AHL Charlotte Checkers and will be in the lineup Thursday against the Boston Bruins.
Florida lost Aaron Ekbladand Dmitry Kulikovto separate injuries in the third period of Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Ekblad, who tied Sasha Barkovfor most games played in franchise history with 804 , blocked a shot with his right hand while on a penalty kill late in the game.
Even though he could not get hhis right hand on the stick, Ekblad stayed out on the ice and helped protect Daniil Tarasovand help keep the Senators off the board.
Ekblad was in obvious pain when he came to the bench and took his glove off. He disappeared down the tunnel and obviously did not return.
Kulikov left earlier in the third when a deflected puck struck him in the face.
Coach Paul Mauricesaid Tuesday night that Kulikov would need a CT scan.
With Ekblad and Kulikov out, the Panthers will be missing 11 regulars — and will have only two defensemen ( Gus Forsling, Seth Jones) from their Opening Night lineup.
Currently Injured: Aaron Ekblad (hand), Dmitry Kulikov (head), Evan Rodrigues (finger), Sam Reinhart (foot), Niko Mikkola (knee), Anton Lundell (ribs), Uvis Balinskis (fractured foot), Brad Marchand (lower body), Cole Schwindt (lower body), Aleksander Barkov (knee), Jonah Gadjovich (upper body )
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
Streaming: Panthers+ , ESPN+
Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
This Season (Panthers Lead 2-0) — At Florida: Panthers 5, Bruins 4 (Feb. 4) ; Thursday. At Boston: Panthers 4, Bruins 3 (Oct. 21)
Last Season: Tied 2-2
All-time Regular Season Series: Boston leads 66-41-7, 6 ties
All-Time Postseason Series (Panthers Lead 2-0): Florida won 2023 First Round (4-3); Florida won 2024 ECSF (4-2).
Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday at Pittsburgh Penguins, 5 p.m.
This article: Florida Panthers Injuries Continue to Rack Up, Two More D-Men Out originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now.
