Akira Schmid has the Florida Panthers rolling, and Paul Maurice may soon have a tough call in the crease.
The Panthers beat the Jets 5-2 on Friday night, their third straight win. Schmid has now won three straight starts and five of his last six.
That run has kept Florida at 8-4-2 through 14 games. They sit 11th in the NHL and fifth in the Atlantic Division, with a +5 goal differential.
Jacob Markstrom is the reason the question exists. He is listed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, and according to the latest injury report he is expected to be out until at least Nov. 4.
The veteran started skating with the team again Friday. We noted that Jacob Markstrom's skate and possible return was a sign things were moving.
Markstrom has played six games this season. Schmid has played eight, so he has carried the bigger share while the starter was out.
Can Paul Maurice bench a hot Akira Schmid?
Maurice already made one call for the Jets game. We covered Paul Maurice turning to Akira Schmid before the homestand opener, and it worked.
Now the coach has to weigh a healthy veteran against a goalie who keeps winning. Markstrom is 36 and has 584 regular-season games behind him. Schmid has 90 over his NHL career.
The calendar adds some pressure. Florida hosts the Red Wings on Monday, and Markstrom's earliest projected return date is Nov. 4. Estimates like that can move in either direction.
Handing the net back on reputation alone would be a mistake. Schmid has earned the next few starts, and a team that is 6-4-0 in its last 10 shouldn't change a winning setup just because a name is healthy again.
The more interesting question is how Maurice splits the work once both goalies are available. He hasn't said, and Monday's start against Detroit will be the first clue.
Should Paul Maurice keep Akira Schmid in net when Jacob Markstrom is healthy?
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