Forwards Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell missed Saturday’s practice for the Florida Panthers, but coach Paul Maurice said afterward that both are expected to play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, per George Richards of NHL.com. Maurice did, however, note that forward A.J. Greer’s availability may be in question.
“I think the only question mark is Greer. We will list him as day-to-day. The other guys are fine. They’ll be back on the ice tomorrow when we do a little bit of an optional,” Maurice said.
Greer and Luostarinen were both injured in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Hurricanes. There was no explanation given for Lundell’s absence from practice, but he played a key role in closing out the Hurricanes, scoring a goal in the Panthers’ 5–3 win in Game 5, while also winning 62 percent of his faceoffs. Lundell put up a career-high 45 points in the regular season and has added five goals and 12 points during the playoffs.
In his first season with the team, Greer has made a significant impact despite averaging just 9:36 of ice time per game. He appeared in 81 regular-season games, posting 17 points while leading the team with 222 hits. The physical forward has added two goals and three points during the playoffs.
Luostarinen has elevated his game in the playoffs, recording 13 points in 18 games after tallying just 24 points in 80 regular-season games. His availability for Game 1 is a major boost for the Panthers, especially given that he ranks second on the team this postseason in hits (71) and leads all forwards with 19 blocked shots.
I would hate the long layoff if I’m the Oilers.
FLA has a great goalie. EDM has a hot goalie. I’d be worried about him cooling off.
Skinner can collapse at any moment, likely period one of game one.
EDM has nothing to worry about except FLA doing their typical head-hunting crap they like to pull (they have to injure the opponent otherwise they can’t win) especially once they know EDM can score at a higher rate than they can produce.
EDM is going to rip through the FLA scumbags & send the so-called “champs” back home as chumps with their tails between their legs. EDM wins the Cup.
Never (met a parenthesis he didn’t like).
I remember when you said the Hurricanes were easily going to beat them. Maybe the three time reigning Eastern conference champion (and potentially consecutive Stanley Cup champions) are just a really good team?
Hey whatever helps you win. Edmonton aren’t a bunch of pansies themselves. They can get just as dirty. This should turn into a battle royal. Both teams know each other pretty well. I think this will come down to goaltending. Skinner will probably let 5 goals in the first game, but very well May shutout game 2. You never know what you’ll get. Bobby is just consistent.
@jdgoat – I never said Carolina would win easily. I said they should win against Florida or Toronto. If you’re going to make accusations (in this case, baseless ones) at least get it correct. Let’s be honest here, Carolina was hotter than both teams heading into the ECF. Carolina goose egged their opportunity.
As for Florida, if you mean by cheap shots, dirty hits, head hunting, intentionally injuring the opponent & such qualify as a good team then I guess you can call them that. To me, their a dirty team.
@Ted Nolan – Dude, who the hell are you? I get a strong impression you’re someone who had another account & made a new one as someone else. You just reek it.
I mean by the fact that they consistently win and finish near the top of the league. Pretty sure that’s a good definition of a good team. But sure, keep crying every time they win. It gets a good laugh on this website.
Here is my prediction for the series. Edmonton is a very good team and has an even chance to win. But if in the next week or 2 it is the Panthers to come out on top then I predict @ Feel the teardrops will come on here and say he never predicted “Edmonton is going to rip through the Florida scumbags blah blah blah” Book it! He is a clown( not the funny kind either but the sad pitiful kind)😀
I feel bad to because I would much rather Edmonton win to get a full team of players their first ring. But the meltdown we would miss out on here is something I’ll have to sacrifice I guess.
@ Feel the teardrops. You are such a clown. You were wrong about your soft a$$ team beating the Panthers. You were wrong about the Leafs. You guaranteed that Carolina was going to roll the Panthers. Wrong again and you will be wrong again about this prediction. Get over your butt hurt bro.
@feel the teardrops. I got an idea for your Lightning. Petition the league to move to the Metro. Maybe then they can get out of the first round. Moving forward it doesn’t seem likely in the Atlantic
You seem new to hockey. The Lightning have done well over the years. If your history with hockey extended prior to 2023, you would know this, Quite possibly, you will learn this stuff if you follow long enough.
No have been a fan since the 90’s. I haven’t discounted what the Lightning previously accomplished unlike @Feel the teardrops. He acts like a petulant little child who comes on here with the same tired rants. And I enjoy triggering him so easily.