Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers visit Washington on Saturday afternoon, the first of two straight road matinees.
Florida is 9-5-2 with 20 points, 11th in the NHL and 5th in the Atlantic. The Panthers won their last game 5-3 over Chicago on Wednesday night and are 7-3-0 over their last 10.
Washington is a different kind of opponent right now. The Capitals are 8-6-0, they've lost two straight, and they gave up six goals in a 6-5 loss to Dallas on Tuesday.
The roster news is the part fans will watch. Jameson Olive reports that Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand are traveling with the team, but neither is expected to play.
Both are listed on injured reserve according to the latest injury report, Barkov out until at least Nov. 27 and Marchand until at least Nov. 21. Each has played just two games this season.
The Panthers' own account kept its message short, simply "D.C. on deck ?"
Spencer Carbery spent his Friday media session on the Panthers, on Dylan Strome's playmaking and on what Boone Jenner's veteran presence brings the Capitals.
Those two are worth watching. Strome has 14 points through 14 games, 11 of them assists, and Jenner has six goals.
Who carries Florida while the stars sit
The answer has been the same for weeks. Matthew Tkachuk leads the team with 22 points, four goals and 18 assists, and Matthew Tkachuk's push as the Panthers regroup only got stronger from there.
Seth Jones has 19 points from the back end. Brady Tkachuk has 17, which keeps Brady Tkachuk's goal run without Barkov relevant, even with a -4 rating.
Sam Reinhart has 16 points, and six of his nine goals have come on the power play. Carter Verhaeghe also has nine goals, two of them game-winners.
The Panthers are scoring enough to stay in the race, 52 goals for against 47 against. The road record of 5-3-2 is respectable, and Saturday is a chance to add to it against a Washington team that has been leaky.
No starting goalie has been confirmed for either side. Nobody should expect a lineup change from the Panthers before warmups.
Then comes Sunday, another afternoon game and a much harder one. Boston is 12-4-1, first in the Atlantic, and coming off a 6-2 win in Pittsburgh.
Going into that game, two points in Washington would matter a great deal. A split on the weekend leaves Florida chasing the division leader.
Quick hits
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSJohn Tavares is returning to the lineup Saturday against the Canadiens, but as a winger. Jonas Siegel reported it. That's a notable change for a player fans know as a center.
LOS ANGELES KINGSPeter Laviolette says Alex Turcotte has progressed back to "day-to-day," with Kevin Fiala not far behind. Zach Dooley passed it along. Good news for a team that wants bodies back.
ST. LOUIS BLUESJeremy Rutherford reports the Blues have recalled Logan Mailloux from his conditioning assignment. He has joined the team ahead of the Nashville game.
MINNESOTA WILDMichael Russo reports Marcus Foligno and Nick Foligno won't play tonight against the Sharks. That's two familiar names out of the Minnesota lineup at once.
NEW YORK RANGERSThe Rangers have activated Joonas Korpisalo from injured reserve and assigned James Reimer to Hartford, according to NHL Rosters. The goalie picture just got clearer in New York.
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Brady Tkachuk starts a wild night at TD Garden