Aleksander Barkov, the captain of the Florida Panthers, participated in the morning skate, indicating his potential return from injury. Coach Paul Maurice expressed confidence in Barkov's availability for the game, with defenseman Gustav Forsling also expected to play. Sergei Bobrovsky was confirmed as the starting goaltender. Barkov was further seen on the ice during warm-ups and officially confirmed to play in the game. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning's defenseman Erik Cernak was absent from the lineup due to injury, with no expectation of his return until after the break.
No Cernak for #GoBolts tonight vs. #Yotes. Don’t expect Cernak, Sergachev or Fleury back until after the break. Cernak and Fleury did skate with the main group today, so expect them a little sooner.
Sam Montembeault starts for the Canadiens tonight, per Martin St. Louis. He's expected to oppose #Isles Semyon Varlamov
No status change for Erik Cernak, #GoBolts head coach Jon Cooper said Cernak won’t be ready for Saturday’s game either but anticipates Cernak, Sergachev and Fleury should all be ready after the break
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the first goaltender off the ice for morning skate today, so he should start tonight for #GoBolts vs #Yotes.
Could Erik Cernak return tonight? The #GoBolts defenseman is on the ice for today’s morning skate before the #TBLightning host the #Yotes tonight. https://t.co/ulSwrhOImB
#GoBolts back on home ice for today’s morning skate before hosting #Yotes tonight in the second to last game before the All-Star break/bye week #TBLightning https://t.co/S1wldvkfGY
Can officially confirm Sasha Barkov is on the ice and playing in the game.
Barkov and Forsling on the ice for warmups!
Sasha Barkov is taking the ice for warm-ups:
Sasha Barkov makes it out to #FlaPanthers warmups - so that’s a start.
#GoBolts have re-assigned Philippe Myers to AHL Syracuse. Maybe we do see Erik Cernak back in the lineup before the break. #TBLightning host #Yotes tomorrow and #NJDevils on Saturday.
#GoBolts have reassigned D Phil Myers to #SyrCrunch. Wonder if this is a sign that Cernak might be ready to return tomorrow vs Arizona
Sasha Barkov is expected to be back for the #FlaPanthers tonight vs. #Yotes, but who will their captain line up with? You might be surprised. Lines, starting goalies, betting odds and more: ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/RrAtfEZbsr
Semyon Varlamov is in the starter's crease (or what would be the away net at Bell Centre), so expecting him to start vs. #GoHabsGo like Roy said yesterday. #Isles
Maurice said he expects both Barkov and Forsling to play tonight.
Updates from Coach Maurice after today’s morning skate: • Sasha Barkov will be a game-time decision • Gustav Forsling is expected to return as well • Sergei Bobrovsky in net 7pm ET on @ballypanthers! https://t.co/Sif7rGPV7h
Paul Maurice said he is “exceptionally confident” that Aleksander Barkov will play tonight. Not a guarantee until tonight but expect him to play assuming the injury doesn’t tighten up between now and game time. Forsling expected back, too #FlaPanthers
Sergei Bobrovsky is in the starter’s crease for the #FlaPanthers ahead of tonight’s game against the #Yotes. https://t.co/wpZyucFzuN
Gus Forsling is not on the ice for #FlaPanthers morning skate. Sasha Barkov stayed on after briefly heading back into the locker room. Will hear updates on both from Paul Maurice in a bit.
If Sasha Barkov plays for the #FlaPanthers tonight, looks like he’s back to a regular shield.
Barkov on the ice for morning skate.
Look who’s on the ice this morning… Aleksander Barkov one of the first #FlaPanthers here with morning skate officially starting in about 25 minutes. Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues also on the ice shooting at an empty net. https://t.co/oSz1IGTUpn