Paul Maurice just said the Panthers are within two weeks of getting Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand back.

The Florida coach spoke ahead of tonight's game in Columbus. Both players have been traveling with the team on this road trip, and both are still on injured reserve.

Mark Scheig passed along Maurice's words: "Think we're within two weeks of getting (Barkov & Marchand) back."

Panthers beat writer Goldieonice noted another step for both players on the ice at this morning's skate.

Maurice sounded more optimistic than the latest injury report. It lists Barkov out with a knee injury until at least Nov 27, and Marchand, also with a knee injury, until at least Nov 21.

Why Barkov and Marchand matter this much in Florida

The Panthers are 9-7-2 and sit 16th in the NHL, fifth in the Atlantic Division. They have lost two straight, the latest a 1-4 defeat in Boston on Sunday.

FLORIDA PANTHERS
5TH IN THE ATLANTIC, 16TH IN THE NHL
GPWLOLPTS
Season1897220
Home64208
Road1255212
Last 101055010


Barkov, the 31-year-old center taken second overall in 2013, has played just 2 games this season and has no points. He is 4 assists short of 500 for his career, sitting at 496.

Marchand, 38, has a goal in his 2 games. Getting both back is the only realistic way Florida climbs out of the middle of the Atlantic, because a 5-5-2 road record leaves no margin for a thin lineup.

There is a second injury storyline, and it is still moving. Per Maurice, via Jameson Olive, winger Sandis Vilmanis did not skate today, and the team will see where he is on Thursday when he is back on the ice.

That keeps him out tonight after Tom Wilson's no-suspension ruling for the boarding hit Saturday in Washington. Vilmanis has 7 points in 16 games this season, and no diagnosis or return date has been given.

Doug Plagens reports that Jack Devine will be in the Panthers lineup tonight, with Jacob Markstrom starting in net.

Devine is expected to play on the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell. He has 6 career NHL games and no points. The Blue Jackets, 7-8-0 and 28th in the league, are the opponent tonight. The next word on Vilmanis comes Thursday.

More to come.

Quick hits

LINEUP: Mats Zuccarello is back in the Kings' lineup tonight against the Predators, Zach Dooley confirmed. Nice surprise for Los Angeles.

WAIVERS: The Canucks claimed Wild defenseman Cameron Crotty off waivers, the team announced this afternoon. Minnesota loses a blueliner, Vancouver adds depth.

WINNIPEG JETS: Josh Morrissey was activated from injured reserve and plays tonight against the Devils. That is a major boost on the Jets' blue line.

DISCIPLINE: NHL Player Safety fined Sharks forward Mason Marchment $5,000, the maximum under the CBA, for roughing Islanders rookie Victor Eklund. Small number, but the league made its point.

COLORADO AVALANCHE: Cale Makar is in the lineup tonight against the Maple Leafs, and Corey Masisak says he feels good. Big news for a marquee matchup.

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.

Also read on Markerzone.com:
Injury Update: Tom Wilson ruling stirs Florida

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