4 DAYS AGO • NHL.COM
Morning Skate: Maurice 2/5/26 | Florida Panthers Head coach Paul Maurice speaks ahead of Thursday's game in Tampa Bay.
Sandis Vilmanis - Good to play Thursday Vilmanis (upper body) is set to play Thursday versus Tampa Bay, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Impact Vilmanis exited Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over Boston, but it seems he won't miss a full game due to the injury. He has two goals, four points, four PIM and 27 hits in 13 appearances while averaging 10:07 of ice time this season. Vilmanis is projected to serve on the fourth line against the Lightning.
4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
One Of The Sickest Jersey Matchups Of The Season 🔥
4 days ago
Aaron Ekblad - Ruled out for Thursday's game Ekblad has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lightning for an undisclosed reason, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Impact While the reason for Ekblad's absence isn't yet known, he's one of several players who will miss the Panthers' final game before the Olympic break. The 29-year-old has recorded a goal, five assists, 24 hits, 24 blocked shots and 17 PIM while averaging 22:45 of ice time over 17 appearances since the start of the calendar year. Mikulas Hovorka will draw into the lineup to make his NHL debut Thursday, while head coach Paul Maurice indicated that he isn't concerned about Ekblad's status following the Olympic break.
4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Brad Marchand - Won't play Thursday Marchand (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup Thursday versus Tampa Bay, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Impact Marchand returned from an undisclosed injury for Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over Boston, but he logged just 10:55 of ice time in that game. It's not clear if Marchand is dealing with a new issue or if this is an extension of the issue that previously forced him to miss time. Marchand's next chance to play for Florida will come Feb. 26, but if he's able to, Marchand is expected to play for Team Canada during the Olympics. Canada's first game of the tournament is set for Feb. 12 against Czechia.
4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Evan Rodrigues - Unavailable Thursday Rodrigues will miss Thursday's game in Tampa Bay due to an illness, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Impact Rodrigues has 10 goals and 25 points in 56 outings in 2025-26. Luke Kunin is set to draw into the lineup due to Rodrigues' absence. This is the final day before the Olympic break, so Rodrigues' next opportunity to play for Florida will come Feb. 26 versus Toronto.
4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
Daniil Tarasov - Set to face Tampa Bay Tarasov is set to start on the road against Tampa Bay on Thursday, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Impact Tarasov is getting his first opportunity to play since he stopped 26 of 31 shots en route to a 5-4 loss to St. Louis on Jan. 29. He's 8-7-2 with a 2.67 GAA and a .904 save percentage in 18 outings in 2025-26. Tampa Bay has been one of the league's top teams dating back to Dec. 20, posting an 18-1-1 record while scoring an outstanding 4.10 goals per game over that stretch.
4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE
