Already missing key forwards, the Panthers will be without center Aleksander Barkov on Thursday. Barkov left Florida's 3-2 shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday in the second period, shortly after being hit in the side by a slap shot from teammate Keith Yandle. Coach Tom Rowe said he is out indefinitely. Barkov leads the Panthers with 27 points and had a season-high five-game point streak come to an end against Toronto. "He's our best player," Yandle said. "He plays in all situations. When he's out there, he's in control of the game. Anytime you lose your best player, offensively and defensively, it's definitely missed. Whether it's 5-on-5 or a shootout, you wish he was out there." Rowe said after the game Wednesday he wasn't sure whether Roberto Luongo or James Reimer would start, but the goalies have split starts in Florida's six back-to-back sets this season and Luongo played against Toronto. If Florida breaks its pattern and goes with Luongo for a second consecutive night, he'll make his third try at getting his 448th career victory, which would move him past Terry Sawchuk into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time list. … Florida is 3-1-2 in the second of back-to-back games.
