Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice provides latest Seth Jones update

This is not a «next man up» cliché situation, Jones eats minutes and touches every important shift. He averages about 24 minutes a night and has been a heavy-usage right shot for Paul Maurice.

The scary part is how it happened, a deflected puck caught Jones up high in the first period of the Winter Classic. He left early, and Florida never really looked settled after that.

On Sunday, Maurice said Jones is still day-to-day and will see a doctor Monday, with the upcoming road trip depending on what they learn then. That's the kind of update that makes everyone hold their breath, even on a random January afternoon.

Florida did call up Toby Bjornfot, but he won't dress, so the fix stays in-house. Uvis Balinskis moves up with Niko Mikkola, Donovan Sebrango comes in with Jeff Petry, and Tarasov gets the crease while Sergei Bobrovsky backs up.

As a fan, this is exactly the kind of spot where you feel the game tilt before the puck even drops, because losing Jones changes your whole comfort level on breakouts.

George Richards had the clearest pregame read on it, Maurice confirmed Jones will not play today against Colorado and the next real checkpoint is Monday's doctor visit.

Jones has 24 points this season, six goals and 18 assists through 39 games, and Florida leans on him in all situations. He's 31, was drafted fourth overall by Nashville in 2013, and his cap hit is $9.5 million.

Tactically, the Panthers lose a clean first pass and a trusted bailout option when the forecheck gets heavy. Against Colorado's speed, that can turn one bad rim into two shifts stuck in your own end.

Tarasov's numbers are fine but volatile, he's 4-6-2 with a 2.96 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. If Florida keeps the slot quiet and waits for Monday news on Jones, this can still be a gritty, winnable night.