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Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Gustav Forsling return to lineup vs. Maple Leafs

Photo credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2025, 11:30 EDTUpdated: Apr 8, 2025, 11:29 EDT
Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Florida Panthers are receiving a major boost to their lineup.
Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart and Gustav Forsling are all returning from injury, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed Tuesday via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
Barkov hasn’t played since an April 1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, playing throughout the entire contest. Florida’s captain has been in terrific form this season with 19 goals and 67 points in 64 games, while vying for the Selke Trophy again. He is a two-way force to be reckoned with and it would appear likely that the Panthers will deploy him against Auston Matthews on Tuesday.
Reinhart is also in the running for the Selke Trophy, while registering 37 goals and 78 points in 76 games. The 29-year-old missed Sunday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings in order to get some rest, as he’s been a constant, durable force for the Panthers during his tenure. It appears likely that the Panthers will place Barkov and Reinhart together on the nominal first line, with Carter Verhaeghe on the second line.
Forsling was also granted a rest day during Sunday’s game against the Red Wings. The 28-year-old has recorded 10 goals and 27 points in 76 games this year. Forsling likely won’t be in the running for the Norris Trophy this season, but he’s an outstanding defensive presence that has given the Maple Leafs fits over the past three seasons. He will likely be paired with Nate Schmidt on Tuesday against the Maple Leafs.
Sam Bennett will miss the remainder of the regular season, but he’s expected back for the start of the playoffs, Maurice confirmed. Bennett is a pending unrestricted free agent with 25 goals and 50 points in 74 games.
Florida is currently on a five-game losing streak, holding a tenuous lead on the third designated playoff spot in the Atlantic Division, with the Ottawa Senators lurking two points back. It has a profound effect on the potential playoff matchups, as the winner of the Atlantic Division will almost certainly face the first wild-card spot, with every team looking to avoid the taxing matchup between the division’s No. 2 and No. 3 seeds.
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