Sergei Bobrovsky is set to make his 800th appearance in the NHL when the Florida Panthers face the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place. This milestone places Bobrovsky as the 18th goaltender in NHL history to reach 800 games. With his impressive career, Bobrovsky is considered a likely candidate for future Hall of Fame induction.
Bobrovsky’s Career Milestone
As he approaches this significant milestone, Bobrovsky stands just one win away from tying Curtis Joseph for seventh place on the all-time wins list. In his 799 games to date, 342 of those have been played while donning a Panthers jersey.
Head Coach Paul Maurice praised Bobrovsky’s dedication to his craft, saying, “He puts so much time into his game.” He added that Bobrovsky’s passion and commitment to every aspect of training are vital for his longevity in the league.
Panthers’ Lineup Updates
The Panthers will see the return of defenseman Seth Jones, who has been sidelined since January 2 due to an upper-body injury sustained during the 2026 NHL Winter Classic. Prior to his injury, Jones was leading the team’s defensemen in goals, assists, and total points.
- Seth Jones: 6 goals, 18 assists, 24 points this season.
- Niko Mikkola will sit out to accommodate Jones’ return.
Following a three-game winning streak, the Panthers recently suffered a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Kraken. They played this match without their top three scorers: Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett, all absent due to injuries. Bennett is expected to return for the matchup against Vancouver.
Recent Player Contributions
Vinnie Hinostroza, acquired from the Minnesota Wild, displayed his impact immediately, scoring in the recent loss. Nolan Foote, recalled from the AHL, will make his NHL debut. The son of two-time Stanley Cup champion Adam Foote, he recorded nine points in his previous NHL games and 14 goals in the AHL this season.
Canucks’ Struggles
The Vancouver Canucks, struggling in the league, enter the game with a record of 20-38-8. Their recent form has seen them win just twice in their last 12 games. Currently, they rank last in the NHL in both offense and defense:
- Offense: 2.12 goals per game
- Defense: 4.04 goals allowed per game
Elias Pettersson and Filip Hronek lead the Canucks with 38 points each, while Brock Boeser leads in goals with 16. Kevin Lankinen is expected to start in goal for the Canucks, despite struggling this season with a 3.65 goals-against average.
Previous Matchup
The Panthers previously faced the Canucks on November 17, where they secured an 8-5 victory. In that game, seven Panthers scored, and Jones stood out, earning first-star honors for his two goals.
As the teams prepare for their rematch, Coach Maurice emphasized the need for improvement: “If we play like we did in Seattle, we won’t beat anyone.” The Panthers aim to bounce back and reaffirm their competitive edge.
Viewing Information
When: Tuesday, March 17 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Rogers Place – Vancouver, B.C.
TV & Streaming: WSFL, WHDT, WFTX, PanthersPlus.TV
Fans can also listen via various radio stations, including 560 WQAM-AM and the Panthers GameDay App.
