Florida Panthers projected lines without Lundell vs St. Louis Blues
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Jonathan Ouimet
Jan 29, 2026 (6:37 PM)
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Photo credit: : Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Brad Marchand lands on a new line as Florida Panthers shuffle forwards in St. Louis, and Anton Lundell’s status makes every shift feel heavier.
Morning skate gave us the clearest picture yet of how Paul Maurice wants to survive tonight with a thin lineup. Rob Darragh’s practice lines basically scream “find offense by committee.”
Carter Verhaeghe skated with Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist, a trio that can play fast and still get back above the puck.
That group feels built to attack off turnovers, not just cycle and hope.
Mackie Samoskevich stayed with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk, which keeps Florida’s nastiest line intact. It’s the kind of unit that can tilt the ice without needing a perfect matchup.
Then came the eyebrow-raiser, Eetu Luostarinen with Cole Schwindt and Marchand, a veteran driver stapled to a checking look.
If Maurice is trying to win the middle of the game, that’s the line he’s betting on to make life miserable.
The fourth group had Sandis Vilmanis with Luke Kunin and A.J. Greer, and it’s a fun one because the kid brings energy without fear.
Vilmanis is 22, a 2022 fifth-round pick, and Florida clearly trusts his details more than people expect from a young winger.
Darragh also noted the defense pairings were rotating, which usually means Maurice is still deciding who he trusts for late-game shifts.
That matters a lot when you’re walking into St. Louis knowing you may have to win 2-1 hockey.
Brad Marchand changes how the Florida Panthers breathe
Panthers fans can feel it, even when the bench is tense, Marchand finds a way to loosen everyone up so they’re not gripping the stick like it’s a tryout.
When your room is missing bodies, that calm matters as much as any system tweak.
And when a top-three line is always dangerous, Maurice can coach cleaner, shorter explanations, fewer panic buttons, and more “next shift” confidence.
It also explains why the fourth line might not see a ton if special teams take over again, because the coach is going to lean on whoever is humming.
The other key piece is in net, because Florida’s margin is thin and Daniil Tarasov starting means the group has to protect the middle.
This is the kind of night where one bad change turns into a goal against, and one good forecheck shift turns into two points.
If Lundell can’t go, Florida needs structure, swagger, and a couple of “veteran things” that don’t show up on the scoresheet.
That’s why these lines matter, because Maurice isn’t just trying to score, he’s trying to keep the whole game under control.
Also read on Sunrise Hockey Insider :
Paul Maurice gives a clear but careful update on Anton Lundell and who gets the crease tonight vs St-Louis
Paul Maurice gives a clear but careful update on Anton Lundell and who gets the crease tonight vs St-Louis
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 29|6 ANSWERS Florida Panthers projected lines without Lundell vs St. Louis Blues Should the Florida Panthers keep Brad Marchand on a shutdown-style line while Anton Lundell is out? | ||
| Yes | 4 | 66.7 % |
| No | 2 | 33.3 % |
| List of polls | ||