Florida Panthers' playoff push falters as injuries sideline Lundell, Barkov and Reinhart
The Florida Panthers are facing further setbacks as key players continue to struggle with injuries. Anton Lundell, a standout performer this season, will now miss an extended period due to a rib injury. The team, already without captain Aleksander Barkov and top scorer Sam Reinhart, sits at 34-32-3 after 69 games.
Lundell last played on March 19, 2023, before suffering the injury. He has been ruled out indefinitely and will only return once fully pain-free. This season alone, the 22-year-old centre recorded 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 64 games while leading the team with 580 faceoff wins.
Over his career, Lundell has contributed 201 points (78 goals, 123 assists) in 359 regular-season games. He has also added 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists) in 77 playoff appearances. His absence adds to the Panthers' injury woes, with Barkov yet to feature this season due to a long-term lower-body issue. Meanwhile, Reinhart—the team's leading scorer with 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists)—has missed the last five games with an undisclosed injury. An MRI was conducted to assess his condition, but no return date has been set. On a brighter note, Mackie Samoskevich could rejoin the lineup as early as March 30 after recovering from a neck laceration. The Panthers will host the Minnesota Wild on March 30, 2023, as they look to push for a playoff spot.
With Lundell, Barkov, and Reinhart all sidelined, Florida's playoff hopes face a tough challenge. The team will rely on returning players like Samoskevich to fill the gaps. Their next game against Minnesota will test their depth in a critical stretch of the season.
