Panthers Host Devils Looking To Keep Pace In Atlantic Division
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SUNRISE (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – The Florida Panthers are heading towards just the fifth playoff appearance in the team's 22-year history but they want to end the regular season on a high note.
A 5-2 setback to Eastern Conference-worst Toronto put a dent in the Panthers' hopes of winning the Atlantic Division, but a bigger loss was an injury to emerging star Vincent Trocheck.
The Panthers, who are tied in points with Tampa Bay atop the division, look to bounce back against the visiting New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.
Trocheck, tied with Jaromir Jagr for the team lead with 25 goals, will miss the final six games of the regular season after fracturing a bone in his left foot while blocking a shot.
"It's tough," Jagr said. "Not only did we lose this game, but we lost our best player."
While Florida is behind the Lightning due to a tiebreaker, the Devils are seven points behind Philadelphia for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
"We can only control our games," New Jersey goaltender Keith Kinkaid said after Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Boston. "We just have to hope there are a few losses from other teams."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; MSG-Plus2 (New Jersey), FSN Florida, NHL.TV
ABOUT THE DEVILS (37-32-8): Starting netminder Cory Schneider, who has been sidelined since March 4 due to a knee injury, could be back in net after he was activated off injured reserve and rookie Scott Wedgewood was sent back to Albany of the American Hockey League.
"Whether I play (Thursday) or Saturday we still haven't determined, but I believe I should be available for both games," said Schneider, who missed 11 contests.
Devils leading scorer Kyle Palmieri, who has recorded nine points in his last seven games, has scored three goals in five contests versus Florida.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (42-25-9): Trocheck was on a tear with goals in four consecutive games before he was hurt Tuesday, opening the door for Nick Bjugstad to move back into the role as No. 2 center between Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith.
"Obviously, he took it for the team so we appreciated that, especially at this point of the season," Bjugstad said. "I'll definitely do my best to fulfill Trocheck's role, which is a tough thing to do at this point."
Jokinen has six goals and 14 assists over his last 17 games to boost his total to 58 points - one behind Jagr for the team lead.
OVERTIME
- Jagr has four points during a three-game streak and 94 in 102 games versus New Jersey.
- Devils C and franchise leading scorer Patrik Elias, out since Dec. 19, could rejoin the team for a season-ending three-game homestand.
- The Panthers recalled C Rocco Grimaldi from Portland of the AHL.
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