Lineup Change: Lundell decision settled for Panthers

Anton Lundell looks cleared to play for the Panthers in Boston, according to the warmup lines posted minutes before puck drop.

Paul Maurice had called his third-line center a game-time decision, and Florida recalled Jack Devine from Charlotte this morning as the fallback.

The Panthers' warmup lines have Lundell between Eetu Luostarinen and Cole Reinhardt, and Devine nowhere in the group.

Jameson Olive relayed what Maurice said earlier: Jacob Markstrom is in net, Lundell is a game-time decision, and Devine goes in if Lundell can't.

Lundell was listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, expected out until at least Sunday, according to the latest injury report. He has 4 goals and 2 assists in 16 games this season, so his return restores a real piece of the middle six.

The timing is awkward. Florida is 9-6-2 and closing out a back-to-back after a 4-3 loss in Washington, and Boston sits first in the Atlantic at 12-4-1.

Earlier this month, we covered Paul Maurice calling out the Panthers after the Red Wings loss. A coach who has already shown he'll make his group hear it doesn't hand out lineup spots for free.

What the Jack Devine recall means for Florida

NHL Rosters noted that Florida has recalled Devine from Charlotte.

Devine is 23, a seventh-round pick of the Panthers in 2022, and he has no points in six career NHL games. For now he looks like the odd man out, insurance in case Lundell shows any issue once the puck drops.

The lineup also leaves a spot worth questioning. Bokondji Imama is on the fourth line with no points in 17 games and a -6 rating, and a coach with a recalled forward sitting around has an easy place to look if that line struggles in Boston.

Maurice has the call from here, and Devine is the first man up if the plan changes.

Quick hits

CALGARY FLAMESRyan Huska explained how Kevin Bahl ruptured his Achilles. It happened warming up Friday night, and the coach called it a freak accident. Brutal way to lose a defenseman before a game even starts.

NEW YORK ISLANDERSStefen Rosner reports that Mathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock made the trip to California. That's good news for a team headed to San Jose.

OTTAWA SENATORSBruce Garrioch reports that Linus Ullmark has come off injured reserve and is back on the regular roster. The crease just got a lot more interesting in Ottawa.

WINNIPEG JETSScott Arniel says Josh Morrissey will not return tonight against Tampa Bay, a reversal from what was expected. The Jets will have to wait on their top defenseman a little longer.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERSJackie Spiegel reports that Dan Vladař is expected to start tonight in Calgary, against his former club. It adds a nice storyline to a game that needed one.