FORT LAUDERDALE – There’s nothing like a little bit of good news before the weekend.
Eitu Luostarinen, who missed the last eight games due to burns sustained in a barbecue accident, returned to the Florida Panthers on Friday for practice at the Baptist Health Iceplex.
“It was nice to meet him,” said Anton Lundell, Luostarinen’s longtime linemate. “We were waiting for him and everyone wanted him back as soon as possible. It was a day of positive energy seeing him on the ice.”
Although pain is not an issue for Luostarinen, head coach Paul Maurice announced that his return to play will depend on how the Finnish forward feels afterwards.
“There’s a possibility (of playing Saturday or Sunday),” Morris said. “There’s a chance he won’t play. There’s a chance he won’t play another week. They just have to make sure they reduce the chance of infection. That’s all they’re worried about. We don’t want to come back two days early and then have to come back two weeks later.”
Luostarinen, who last joined the Panthers on Nov. 15 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, had 10 points (3G, 7A), 42 hits and 18 blocks in 18 games.
An integral part of the lineup, he averages a career-high 16:46 on the ice.
Luostarinen, who played a key role on both the first penalty kill and the second power play unit during an injury, embodies everything it means to play “Father’s Way.”
“He has been an important part of our team for a long time and has been key to our success,” Randell said. “He does a lot of good things in the game. He takes penalties, he plays power plays, he plays strong five-on-five. He brings everything to the team. So I think he’s a very important piece and we’re looking forward to having him back.”
Returning to practice, Luostarinen rushed to the top line alongside Randell and Reinhardt. This was a familiar line to fans. According to NaturalStatTrick.com, the Panthers led 16-11 in goals at 5-on-5 with this trio over the past three seasons.
His impending return to the top has allowed other players to shift into familiar roles.
“It’s very deep,” Maurice says. “He pushes everyone a little bit. We have a good player who can play another game. He comes off the bench first on our penalty kill and then plays against the other team’s best (players) on the second power play.”
Overall, the Panthers are just happy to be back playing after injury.
Unlike other teams in the NHL, the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions are still awaiting the return of captain Aleksander Barkov (knee), forwards Tomas Nosek (knee), Jonah Gajovic (upper body), Cole Schwindt (arm) and Matthew Tkachuk (hip), and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (shoulder), who have battled injury issues like no other team in the NHL.
With a record of 12 wins, 12 losses and 2 draws in the standings, Luostarinen’s return should be a big boost.
“Getting players back from injury is a really big deal for us,” Morris said. “He plays a very important role in everything that happens here.”
With two games remaining on the homestand, the Panthers will host back-to-back games against the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders on Saturday and Sunday.
Click here for tickets.
For the latest information on Luostarinen availability, please visit FloridaPanthers.com.
