Lundell Returns as Florida Panthers Face Vegas Before Break

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers will welcome a new rival to town Saturday afternoon when the Vegas Golden Knights come to town in the first showdown between the teams since the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.

Florida will have a familiar face back in the lineup as well.

Anton Lundell, who has missed the past four games with an undisclosed illness, is expected to return to centering Florida’s third line.

Jonah Gadjovich will miss his fifth consecutive game; Steven Lorentz will be the odd forward out.

Both teams come into today in a bit of a slump: Florida has lost four of five; Vegas has dropped three of four.

The Golden Knights are also without their top two goalies due to injuries and are expected to start Jiri Patera for a second consecutive game.

Sergei Bobrovsky gets the call for the Panthers.

This will be the final day before the NHL’s Christmas break.

The Panthers will return Wednesday morning for the quick flight to Tampa and a game against the Lightning.