Florida Panthers Get Top Forward Back from Injury Today

SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers have dealt with their share of injuries this season but that changes a bit Saturday with the return of forward Eetu Luostarinen.

Luostarinen practiced Friday for the first time since he suffered severe burns to his lower body after his propane gas grill malfunctioned and exploded while he was cooking last month.

He had been out since playing against the Lightning on Nov. 15.

Coach Paul Maurice confirmed Luostarinen will return today against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“He had two skates yesterday and felt real strong with it,’’ Maurice said Saturday afternoon.

As far as managing minutes go, Maurice said he hopes Luostarinen “is more tired than normal after the game.’’

The Panthers were, obviously, being cautious with Luostarinen based on the nature of his injuries.

“We will see the trainers, talk to the doctors, and see how he is feeling tomorrow,” Maurice said after Friday’s practice at the IcePlex.

“Then we will make the decision. … There is a possibility but there’s a chance he doesn’t play for a another week. They have to make sure the chance of infection is down and that’s all they are worried about at this point.

“We don’t want to come back two days too early and have to deal with it two weeks later. At the same time, anybody who is ready to play is playing.”

Luostarinen was back on Florida’s top line with longtime linemate Anton Lundell (sporting a few stitches under his left eye from a high stick Thursday) and Sam Reinhart.

He will draws right back onto that line.

Florida has already been without Sasha Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Tomas Nosek the entirety of the season; Dmitry Kulikov has been out since Game 2, with Jonah Gadjovich and Cole Schwindt also being out long-term following surgery.

Tkachuk should be the next player to return, perhaps after Christmas.

Luostarinen has three goals and 10 points in 17 games for the Panthers this season.

“Nice to see him out there for sure,” Maurice said. “Everybody is a little faster, a little excited. We haven’t had guys … getting a guy back from injury is a really big deal for us and he is such an important part of everything that has happened here. It’s just positive, right?’’

Florida will try and snap a four-game losing streak Saturday against the Blue Jackets; the Panthers have lost five straight at home, longest since 2020.

ON DECK: GAME No. 27

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS at FLORIDA PANTHERS  

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SW Fla)
• Streaming: Panthers+; ESPN+
• Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• This Season — At Florida: Saturday; March 12. At Columbus: March 5.
• Last Season: Panthers Won 3-0
• All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 27-16-10
• Up Next for the Panthers: Sunday vs. New York Islanders, 5 p.m.