Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers Make a Roster Move. It Wasn’t for Tkachuk
FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers will not have Matthew Tkachuk in the lineup Tuesday night when they play the Nashville Predators, and they made a roster move on Monday.
The two were not related.
Coach Paul Maurice explained Monday that Eetu Luostarinen will not travel to Nashville for a pretty good reason: He and his wife are expecting their first child.
To replace Luostarinen in the lineup, Florida called up Justin Sourdif from AHL Charlotte.
Sourdif will play Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old played in three games with the Panthers last season but this will be his first NHL game of this one.
Sourdif has 11 goals and 22 points in 29 games for the Checkers this season.
The Florida Panthers currently have 22 players on the roster — and Tkachuk is still active.
Monday, Maurice reiterated he does not expect Tkachuk’s suspected groin injury to end his season.
Maurice still did not have a timeline, saying that Tkachuk was going to a doctor on Monday afternoon and “we’ll know more today.’’
The Panthers play three games this week: Tuesday in Nashville, then the Battle of Alberta series with Edmonton (Thursday) and Calgary (Saturday).
“We have a pretty good idea of where it’s at,’’ Maurice said Monday.
“We need to make sure everyone looks at the pictures the same way. We are always vague on these before we get the [medical] report because there is always a chance that there’s something unusual. We don’t think there is. We’re not worried about it.’’
ON DECK: GAME No. 59
FLORIDA PANTHERS at NASHVILLE PREDATORS
- When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
- Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
- Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FTL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (Naples/FTM)
- Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
- Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- Season Series (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Nashville: Feb. 25. At Florida: Panthers 6, Predators 2 (Nov. 7).
- Last Season: Split 1-1
- All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 23-15-6, 3 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday vs. Edmonton Oilers, 7 p.m.
