Panthers Vs Senators: Projected lineups set for tense matchup
The Panthers Vs Senators meeting on Tuesday night in Ottawa comes with Florida heavily depleted and the Senators trying to keep their late-season push on track. The game is set for 7: 00 PM ET, with projected lineups showing major absences on both sides but especially for Florida. The Panthers Vs Senators matchup also carries extra weight because Ottawa wants to avoid a season sweep and use this game to build momentum.
Projected lineups point to major absences
Florida’s projected forward group lists Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, and Mackie Samoskevich on the top line, with Jesper Boqvist, Eetu Luostarinen, A. J. Greer, Cole Schwindt, Tomas Nosek, Noah Gregor, Nolan Foote, Luke Kunin, and Vinnie Hinostroza filling out the rest. The scratched players are Matthew Tkachuk, Cole Reinhardt, and Mikulas Hovorka, while the injured list includes Aaron Ekblad, Dmitry Kulikov, Evan Rodrigues, Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola, Anton Lundell, Uvis Balinskis, Brad Marchand, Aleksander Barkov, Jonah Gadjovich, and Seth Jones.
Ottawa’s projected lines feature Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle, and Claude Giroux on the first unit, followed by Brady Tkachuk, Dylan Cozens, and Ridly Greig; Nick Cousins, Shane Pinto, and Michael Amadio; and Warren Foegele, Lars Eller, and Fabian Zetterlund. The Senators’ scratches are Stephen Halliday, Kurtis MacDermid, and Cameron Crotty, with Nick Jensen, Dennis Gilbert, and Tyler Kleven listed as injured. Thomas Chabot is expected back after missing time with a right arm injury and surgery earlier this spring, giving Ottawa another option on the blue line.
Panthers Vs Senators carries playoff and morale pressure
The Senators enter the night trying to protect their momentum after regaining confidence with Jake Sanderson in the lineup, while the Panthers arrive with little margin in terms of health. Florida coach Paul Maurice said Dmitry Kulikov will not return this season, and Seth Jones broke his foot in a 4-3 shootout loss at the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Ascher and Jansson were recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League and are expected to make their NHL debuts.
Ottawa is also trying to avoid getting dragged into the kind of game Florida has made difficult for them before. The context around Panthers Vs Senators is not just who is missing, but how each side handles a matchup that could shape mood and momentum as the season winds down.
Immediate reactions and what comes next
One Ottawa preview stressed that three wins would seal a playoff spot for the Senators, while even two wins in the next three games would probably be enough. The same preview warned that Florida’s structure has continued to give Ottawa trouble even with a depleted roster. On the Florida side, Maurice’s update on Kulikov made clear the Panthers will finish without one of their defensemen.
For Ottawa, the next step is straightforward: handle the Panthers Vs Senators matchup cleanly and avoid letting a thin opponent turn the game into a morale setback. If the Senators manage that, they can move one step closer to locking in the finish they want.
