Panthers maintain title defense without key players pre-Marchand debut.

March 27, 2025 – The Florida Panthers have continued to perform well despite missing key players like Matthew Tkachuk (out since early February), Aaron Ekblad (suspended until Game 3 of the playoffs), and Brad Marchand (who has yet to debut after his trade). Since the NHL season resumed post-4 Nations Face-Off break, the Panthers have won nine of their first 14 games and remain at the top of the Atlantic Division with 11 games left. Seth Jones, acquired from Chicago, has seamlessly integrated into the team, and the defending Stanley Cup champions appear set for another strong playoff run.

Sam Bennett, who has scored 12 points during this stretch, highlighted the importance of stepping up in the absence of key players. Tkachuk was injured during the 4 Nations tournament in February, Ekblad was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs in March, and Marchand is recovering from an injury sustained with Boston. Despite these setbacks, the Panthers have allowed only two goals per game during this period, the fewest in the NHL, with Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praising their elite net-front defense.

Head coach Paul Maurice, despite a tough road trip, has expressed satisfaction with how the team has managed the situation, citing their experience with key player absences. Since Maurice's arrival and Tkachuk’s acquisition in 2023, the Panthers have been highly successful, with back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances and a championship. The return of Marchand and Jones, who has played over 25 minutes per game in Ekblad’s absence, is expected to further strengthen the team. The Panthers’ locker room remains focused, with Jonah Gadjovich emphasizing that missing key players is no excuse for not performing.