Florida Panthers weekend update: October 27

SUNRISE — It’s been a couple days since the Florida Panthers last played against San Jose on Tuesday.

With a few days between games, here’s a few status updates ahead of Saturday’s game against the Seattle Kraken.

Lineup Updates

Sasha Barkov missed Tuesday’s game with an illness. The Panthers’ captain was a full participant in Friday’s practice. He will be in the lineup on Saturday. 

“I’m good. I was on the ice so I felt good,” Barkov said after Friday’s practice. “You never want to miss games, but sometimes you have to take care of things and get better.”

Sergei Bobrovksy will be the starter against the Kraken — his sixth start of the season. Anthony Stolarz started in Tuesday night’s win against the Sharks.

Sam Bennett (lower-body) skated this morning but did not stay on with the main group for practice. He will be a game-time decision tomorrow. If he’s in, it will be his first game of the season.

Dmitry Kulikov (illness) was not at practice today. Head coach Paul Maurice said Kulikov is “under the weather”, and would also be a game-time decision. If Kulikov can’t go, Mike Reilly is expected to take his place. Reilly hasn’t played yet this season. 

Mackie Samoskevich was a late call up for Tuesday’s game with Barkov out. The 20-year-old is still on the active roster, per the NHL Media Site — however he was not at practice this morning. It looks like he’ll be going back to Charlotte. 

Jonah Gadjovich (upper-body) skated in his second full practice this week as the extra forward. He’s still a bit away from being game ready. 

Panthers next game

Saturday, Oct. 28 against the Seattle Kraken. Puck drop is 6 p.m. at Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise).