LOS ANGELES – Sam Reinhart is no stranger to shifting around the lineup.
Moving back to the middle for the Florida Panthers in the absence of injured captain Aleksander Barkov, the veteran forward is ready to return to his former role at center.
Despite needing to make some adjustments, he knows what the job entails.
“It's really a different look,” Reinhart aid after Monday’s practice at Crytpo.com Arena. “You see the game in different areas. You pick up the puck with a little bit more speed at times and you get it on your stick a little bit more. It’s a position that I've switched a lot back and forth with, and the more time you're able to play there, the more comfortable you are.”
In Sunday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Reinhart’s line – which also includes Brady Tkachuk and Brad Marchand – looked more than comfortable throughout the game.
Over the 8:52 of ice time the line was deployed at 5-on-5, the Panthers led 12-2 in shot attempts, 4-0 in shots on goal and had a 100% expected goals for percentage, per NaturalStatTrick.com.
A brand-new trio for the Panthers, Tkachuk is in his first season with Florida, while Marchand, who hadn’t played a game since March 6, is getting back up to speed following offseason surgery.
With some time, the line has the potential to be dominant.
“We got almost three moving parts,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “Brady's new, Sam Reinhart’s in a position that he hasn't played recent, and Brad would tell you that the game was a whole lot different last night than his last four or five months of practice. We think that line will continue to get better. They didn't give up anything really of note. They were strong defensively, had a few chances, and we've got lots of confidence they'll find more.”
Starting the season with a 1-0-2 record and a three-game point streak, the Panthers will close out their four-game road trip against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET.
JONES IS FLYING
Seth Jones has been flying to start the season.
Counted on in all situations, the veteran defenseman is currently averaging 28:26 of ice time per tilt, which is roughly six minutes more than the second-highest skater on the Panthers.
His teammates aren't surprised by the workload.
“I feel like he's even faster,” Niko Mikkola said of his defensive partner. “He's getting faster every year. He’s playing great. He has been and is still one of the best in the league.”
Shining bright during Sunday’s loss to the Ducks, Jones did an exceptional job of slowing down Anaheim’s top offensive players, including helping the Panthers finish with shot advantages when both Leo Carlsson (6-2) and Cutter Gauthier (6-3) were on the ice.
Acquired by the Panthers in a blockbuster deal prior to their Stanley Cup-winning run in 2025, Jones has been doing that and more ever since he took his talents to South Florida.
“It’s kind of what we expect out of him,” Reinhart said. “Ever since he’s come here, he's been an absolute horse back there. He relieves so much pressure on our game.”
In 915 career games, Jones has posted 473 points (106G, 367A).
EKBLAD RETURNS HOME
Aaron Ekblad has returned home to South Florida for family reasons.
Leaving prior to Sunday’s matchup with the Ducks, the veteran defenseman is expected to rejoin the Panthers following the conclusion of their four-game road trip in Los Angeles.
In two games this season, Ekblad has recorded an assist and two hits while averaging 20:55 of ice time per tilt alongside Gustav Forsling on Florida’s top pair.
In his absence, Dmitry Kulikov was paired with Forsling during Monday’s practice, while Uvis Balinskis remained next to Radko Gudas.
Over the 14-plus minutes that Kulikov and Forsling have shared the ice together at 5-on-5 this season, the Panthers have yet to surrender a goal.
“He can play both sides and he can play right up the lineup,” Maurice said of Kulikov, who's played in 1,040 career NHL games. "He’s had so much experience doing it, so there's no drop off in his game. He certainly doesn't approach it any differently. He's got a good veteran pro's mind."
