FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — As the Florida Panthers look to extend their winning streak to four on Tuesday, an exciting sight capped the morning skate at Baptist Health IcePlex.
Captain Aleksander Barkov, center Tomas Nosek, winger Jonah Gadjovich and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov skated individually.
Sasha Barkov back on the ice today in Fort Lauderdale with other long-term injured players Dmitry Kulikov, Jonah Gadjovich, and Tomas Nosek. pic.twitter.com/rOYaFLESFn
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) January 27, 2026
Two key players have already returned to the lineup: winger Matthew Tkachuk, who made his season debut Jan. 19 against San Jose, and Brad Marchand, who missed the last seven games.
Barkov, who had surgery in September to repair the ACL and MCL in his right knee, and Nosek have yet to appear in a game this season.
Barkov is projected to miss the entire regular season, but the Panthers are confident their captain will be available if they reach the playoffs.
Gadjovich (upper body) has been out since Oct. 25, but he is expected to return after the Olympics.
Kulikov (shoulder) has been sidelined since Oct. 9 against Philadelphia and is on track to return in mid-March, according to the team.
Aleksander Barkov, Tomas Nosek, Jonah Gadjovich and Dmitry Kulikov all on the ice today in Fort Lauderdale after #FlaPanthers morning skate pic.twitter.com/eap9hICpoA
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) January 27, 2026
Defenseman Seth Jones (upper body) was not on the ice Tuesday and has been sidelined since the Panthers’ Winter Classic against the Rangers on Jan. 2 at loanDepot park.
The Panthers are moving back into the thick of the playoff picture as they chase a three-peat.
With 31 games remaining before the playoffs, the Panthers sit four points behind Boston for the final wild card spot, four behind Montreal for the top wild card position and four behind Buffalo for the last spot in the Atlantic Division.
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