PITTSBURGH – Cole Schwindt will return to the lineup for the Florida Panthers when they face-off against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.
Schwindt has been out of action since suffering a lower-body injury in a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 26.
“I feel for the young man, but he’s worked hard to get back,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “I think he’s going to be very good tonight. He got pushed hard to get ready, and he pushed himself. He wants to finish strong here.”
In his return, Schwindt will center Florida’s fourth line.
“Schwindt and (Cole) Reinhardt back in,” Maurice said of today’s lineup changes. “(Nolan) Foote and (Vinnie) Hinostroza come out. I’ll just move Kunny (Luke Kunin) to the wing.”
Claimed off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 3, Schwindt, who’d originally been drafted by the Panthers in the third round (81st overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, has produced four points (3G, 1A) and 25 hits in 22 games during his second stint with Florida.
Dealing with some bad luck, Schwindt suffered a separate long-term injury in November during an on-ice collision.
Still only 24 years old and having shown plenty of flashes this season, the Panthers are excited to see what Schwindt can do over the final seven games of the season.
“It’s important for him,” Maurice said. “Mentally, just for him to leave this season feeling good. Both of his injuries happened right as he was peaking. He was really playing well.”
