Panthers Struggle with Injuries, Playoff Hopes Fading

For the NHL, it's March 20th.

Here's what's happening.

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The Florida Panthers had a tough week from March 13th to 20th in 2026, capping it with

a strong 4-0 shed-eye win over.

Their old Stanley Cup foes, the Edmonton Oilers.

But injuries to key leaders have hit hard, putting the back-to-back champions in real

danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in three.

Earlier this week, they dropped a 6-2 decision to the Seattle Kraken, a mid-travel woes, then

fell 5-2 to the Vancouver Canucks.

Saragay Babrovsky shone in net against Edmonton with just 21 saves for his 53rd career shutout,

while Rookie Mike Benning added 2.

Assist in his 4th NHL game.

In the Atlantic Division, the Panthers sit 7th with 71 points, trailing 3rd place Montreal

by 13 with only 14 games left.

Things like Buffalo, with 92 points and Tampa Bay with 88 have pulled ahead, leaving Florida

well outside wild car contention.

The injury list is brutal, starting with Captain Alexander Barkov out for the season on injured

reserve with a knee issue.

Brad Martian sidelined until at least March 31st with a lower body injury, Sam Reinhardt's

out until March 24th and several others.

Like Cole Schwint and Jonah Gajavitch are also nursing ailments.

With the trade deadline passed, the team is shifting to a rest in recovery mode, eyeing

a strong bounce back next season instead of chasing a long shot.

Playoff spot.