FLORIDA PANTHERS NEWS

Uvis Balinskis - Agrees to two-year extension Balinskis signed a two-year contract extension with Florida on Wednesday.

Impact Balinskis is playing through a one-year, entry-level deal and would have become an unrestricted free agent this summer had he not agreed to an extension. The 27-year-old, who is currently with AHL Charlotte, has two points in 18 contests with Florida as well as seven points in seven minor-league outings this season.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Cousins - In concussion protocol Cousins is in the concussion protocol, coach Paul Maurice told Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site on Wednesday.

Impact Cousins was injured when he was hit from behind by Arizona's Jason Zucker during Tuesday's 4-1 victory. Cousins has two goals, five points, 45 hits and 13 blocks in 37 outings this year. Ryan Lomberg will likely move up to the third line if Cousins can't play Thursday.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Cousins - Missing from practice Cousins was unable to practice Wednesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports, which comes after he appears to have been injured against Arizona on Tuesday, per Da...

Impact Cousins played just one shift in the third period after being hit from behind by Arizona's Jason Zucker. The 30-year-old Cousins has played in all 37 games for the Panthers this season but is currently mired in a 14-game pointless streak and hasn't scored since Nov. 6 versus Columbus, a stretch of 26 contests. Ryan Lomberg will likely move into Cousins' third-line role if he can't play.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Gustav Forsling - Fights, scores Tuesday Forsling had a goal and 17 penalty minutes in Florida's 4-1 win over Arizona on Tuesday.

Impact Forsling fought Arizona's Jason Zucker late in the second period, drawing an instigator minor penalty, fighting major and 10-minute misconduct. After serving his time, Forsling collected an empty-net goal at 17:39 of the third frame. That game highlights the type of player the 27-year-old defenseman is for Florida: A physical presence who also chips in offensively. Forsling has five goals, 13 points, a plus-21 rating, 33 PIM, 83 shots, 39 hits and 51 blocks in 37 outings this year.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Carter Verhaeghe - Gets two points vs. Arizona Verhaeghe supplied a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over Arizona on Tuesday.

Impact Verhaeghe earned his fourth multi-point game in the span of just five contests, giving him four goals and eight points in that stretch. The 28-year-old now has 19 goals and 34 points in 37 appearances this season. Verhaeghe is proving that his breakout 73-point 2022-23 campaign was just the beginning while serving on the first power-play unit and as a member of Florida's top-six forward corps.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Matthew Tkachuk - Ends nine-game goal drought Tkachuk contributed a goal in a 4-1 win over Arizona on Tuesday.

Impact Tkachuk ended a nine-game goal-scoring slump, though he did register an impressive seven assists during that drought. Still, the 26-year-old's six goals and 28 points in 37 contests this season pales in comparison to his previous two campaigns in which he scored at least 40 goals and 100 points each year. Tkachuk's shooting percentage stands at just 4.7 this campaign, and it wouldn't be surprising to see that rise in the second half of 2023-24.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Reinhart - Stays hot with goal Tuesday Reinhart found the back of the net in a 4-1 victory over Arizona on Tuesday.

Impact It's the latest tally in what is shaping up to be a career season for Reinhart. He's already collected 24 goals in 37 contests, putting him on pace to shatter his career high of 33 markers, which was set in 2021-22. The 28-year-old's 25.5 shooting percentage does look unsustainably high, but he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down yet -- Reinhart has seven goals over his last seven appearances. In addition to contributing goals at a fantastic rate, Reinhart has recorded 21 assists, a plus-16 rating, 13 PIM and 94 shots in 2023-24.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Sergei Bobrovsky - Extends winning streak Bobrovsky stopped 21 of 22 shots in a 4-1 win over Arizona on Tuesday.

Impact Bobrovsky surrendered a shorthanded goal to Alex Kerfoot early in the third period, but that stood as his only blemish. The 35-year-old goaltender has won his last four starts while posting a 2.00 GAA and a .927 save percentage. He's been having a strong campaign overall with an 18-9-1 record, 2.44 GAA and .912 save percentage through 28 outings. Bobrovsky will likely be in net again Thursday as he looks to continue his winning streak on the road versus Vegas.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers bring win streak into game against the Golden Knights

The Florida Panthers are looking to keep their five-game win streak alive when they visit the Vegas Golden Knights

JANUARY 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Panthers stay hot, cruise past Coyotes Carter Verhaeghe scored a goal and added an assist, leading the Florida Panthers to a 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday in Tempe,...

JANUARY 3 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Reinhart, Tkachuk score late; Florida Panthers win fifth straight 4-1 over the Arizona Coyotes

Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk scored 42 seconds apart in the third period and the Florida Panthers beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-1

JANUARY 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sergei Bobrovsky - Starting against Coyotes Bobrovsky will defend the road net Tuesday against Arizona, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact Bobrovsky has stopped 81 of 88 shots during his three-game winning streak. He has a 17-9-1 record with two shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 27 appearances this season. The Coyotes sit 17th in the league this campaign with 3.09 goals per contest.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Having 'more of an attack mentality' has paid dividends for Florida Panthers' Sam Reinhart ‘He’s always there in the crucial moments in the game. He’s one of the smartest guys I’ve seen play hockey.’

JANUARY 2 • MIAMIHERALD.COM

Confident Panthers kick off road trip at Coyotes The Florida Panthers will look to extend their win streak to five games when they open a four-game road trip on Tuesday against the Arizona...

JANUARY 2 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Panthers take win streak into matchup against the Coyotes

The Florida Panthers will try to keep a four-game win streak intact when they take on the Arizona Coyotes

JANUARY 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Panthers close 2023 with four-game win streak and know they're 'a tough team to beat' ‘We played some great teams and got some huge wins. It’s a good end of the year for us.’

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • MIAMIHERALD.COM

Sam Bennett - Two-point night in win Bennett had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 win over Montreal on Saturday.

Impact He redirected Aaron Ekman-Larsson's shot from the left point at 15:26 of the third period to push the score to 3-1. Bennett has six goals and six assists in 24 games this season, but seven of those points have come in just three games. Yes, that means he's delivered just five points in his other 21 games. Ouch.

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Stolarz - Strong play continues Stolarz made 18 saves in a 4-1 win over Montreal on Saturday.

Impact He was beaten on a sniper's shot off the tape of Cole Caufield, who roofed a backhander from the left post on a second-period power play. While he wasn't overly tested, Stolarz delivered when his team needed him. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is now 5-3-1 in nine starts, with a 2.05 GAA and .918 save percentage. Stolarz has allowed two or fewer goals in six of those nine starts.

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eetu Luostarinen - First multi-goal game in NHL Luostarinen scored twice on the power play in a 4-1 win over Montreal on Saturday.

Impact It was the forward's first multi-goal game in the NHL (248 games). Luostarinen is a third-line fixture in Florida with limited fantasy value. He caught lightning in a bottle last season with 43 points, including 17 goals, in 82 games. But this year, Luostarinen has fallen back to earth, and he's on a 23-point pace. Nice game, but we're not sure there's reason here to roster him.

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Postgame @ FLA: Allen | Montréal Canadiens Jake Allen on the challenge of facing the Panthers

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • NHL.COM

Eetu Luostarinen powers surging Panthers past Canadiens Eetu Luostarinen notched the first two-goal game of his career, leading the host Florida Panthers to a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens o...

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Eetu Luostarinen scores twice, Panthers tops Canadiens 4-1 for 4th consecutive win

Eetu Luostarinen scored a pair of power-play goals as the Florida Panthers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to four games

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS