Panthers at Senators preview

PANTHERS (39-29-7) at SENATORS (26-39-11)
7:30 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, FS-F, NHL.TV

The Panthers trail the New Jersey Devils, who play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, by three points with a game in hand.
Goalie James Reimer could start for the Panthers after Roberto Luongo made 31 saves in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
Goalie Craig Anderson will start for the Senators, who will try to end a six-game losing streak (0-6-0).

Players to watch

Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov has 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in his past 18 games. He needs one goal for 100 in the NHL.
Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson has 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in his past 12 games.

They said it

"They've given it their all here for the last few months, trying to catch a break and trying to make their own breaks. We've been a real good hockey team." -- Panthers coach Bob Boughner
"We know it means a lot for them. It's basically a must-win, so I guess it gives us a little extra motivation. Also, being at home, we want to make sure we get on a winning note before we get back on the road again." -- Senators coach Guy Boucher

Panthers projected lineup

Evgenii Dadonov -- Aleksander Barkov -- Nick Bjugstad
Jonathan Huberdeau -- Vincent Trocheck -- Denis Malgin
Jamie McGinn -- Henrik Borgstrom -- Jared McCann
Micheal Haley -- Derek MacKenzie -- Colton Sceviour
Keith Yandle -- Aaron Ekblad
Mike Matheson -- Mark Pysyk
MacKenzie Weegar -- Alexander Petrovic
James Reimer
Roberto Luongo
Scratched:Connor Brickley, Ian McCoshen, Frank Vatrano, Radim Vrbata, Maxim Mamin
Injured:None

Senators projected lineup

Ryan Dzingel -- Matt Duchene -- Bobby Ryan
Tom Pyatt -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Mike Hoffman
Colin White -- Zack Smith -- Magnus Paajarvi
Max McCormick -- Filip Chlapik -- Alexandre Burrows
Thomas Chabot -- Erik Karlsson
Mark Borowiecki -- Cody Ceci
Christian Wolanin -- Fredrik Claesson
Craig Anderson
Mike Condon
Scratched:Ben Harpur
Injured:Mark Stone (leg), Chris Wideman (hamstring), Marian Gaborik (undisclosed)

Status report

Borgstrom could make his NHL debut. … Stone was in a regular practice jersey for the first time since injuring his leg March 9 and is hopeful to play against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. … Wideman was shut down for the remainder of the season. … Gaborik is week to week. "There's not too many weeks left," Senators coach Guy Boucher said. … White was recalled from Belleville of the American Hockey League.

Stat pack

Trocheck has 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his past 12 games. … The Senators have been outscored 26-10 in their past five games.