Steven Kampfer did not practice on Friday after being given a maintenance day. Coach Alain Vigneault said he expected the defenseman to be in the lineup on Saturday evening, and that no other changes are expected on the backend.
Up front, though, Paul Carey could replace David Desharnais. Vigneault said Friday he was contemplating that swap to get Carey some game action. He's appeared in just five games this year and none since Oct. 13 against Columbus.
Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves in the win over the Lightning. Vigneault did not reveal who his starting goaltender would be against the Panthers.
Florida enters Saturday's game on a three-game losing streak, including one game it allowed seven goals and another it allowed eight. Team defense has been an issue thus far for the Panthers, who have allowed 51 goals against in 12 games, just behind Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference, though the Penguins have played three more games.
Roberto Luongo hasn't played since Oct. 20, and James Reimer's struggles led to the Panthers claiming Antti Niemi off waivers from Pittsburgh. Reimer started on Thursday and allowed four goals on 19 shots against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Forward Evgenii Dadonov is tied for the team lead with 14 points in 12 games, which is just three off his career-high. Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov each have 14 as well, while Aaron Ekblad has seven points to lead the defense.
