Panthers to start Thomas against Bruins

The Florida Panthers announced Tim Thomas will make the start Thursday when his former team, the Boston Bruins, come to BB&T Center for an Atlantic Division matchup.

Thomas hasn't played since leaving an Oct. 8 game against the Philadelphia Flyers with a groin injury, but he started skating with the team earlier this week.

Thomas won 196 regular-season games during his tenure with the Bruins and another 29 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He led the team to a championship in 2011, a season in which he won the Vezina and Conn Smythe trophies.