Bobrovsky will guard the road crease Thursday against Tampa Bay for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, per Alex Baumgartner.
Bobrovsky was solid in Game 2 on Tuesday, stopping 21 of 23 shots en route to a 3-2 win. The 35-year-old has played 72 career playoff games, recording a .905 save percentage and 31 total wins. The Lightning will undoubtedly be desperate to avoid falling in to a 3-0 series hole, so they'll likely come out firing Thursday.
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Panthers' Ryan Lomberg: Not playing Thursday
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Lomberg (illness) will not play in Thursday's Game 3 versus Tampa Bay, according to Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now.
Lomberg accompanied the Panthers to Tampa Bay, but he will be replaced by Kyle Okposo on the fourth line for Game 3. Lomberg had five goals, two assists, 80 PIM and 179 hits in 75 games during the regular season.
Panthers' Ryan Lomberg: Might be available for Thursday
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Lomberg (illness) might return for Game 3 against Tampa Bay on Thursday, coach Paul Maurice told Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site Wednesday.
Lomberg didn't play in Florida's 3-2 overtime victory over the Lightning on Tuesday because of the illness. The 29-year-old had five goals, seven points, 80 PIM and 179 hits in 75 regular-season appearances. Lomberg will likely serve on the fourth line once he's healthy enough to return to the lineup.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Out at least one week
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Bennett (upper body) is expected to be sidelined for at least a week, the team announced Wednesday.
Bennett scored a goal and picked up an assist in Game 2 against the Lightning before being forced to leave the game due to his upper-body issue. According to coach Paul Maurice, the news on the 27-year-old winger's injury was better than anticipated. Based on his timeline, Bennett should be expected to miss at least the team's next three games, though it could be longer. In Bennett's absence, Anton Lundell and Evan Rodrigues could both be candidates to move into a top-six role.
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Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe: Two points including OT winner
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Verhaeghe scored the overtime winner and added an assist in Game 2 during a 3-2 victory over the Lightning on Tuesday.
After helping to set up Sam Bennett (upper body) for the night's opening tally early in the first period, Verhaeghe played hero for the Panthers once again. The 28-year-old has begun Florida's postseason run with two goals and three points in two games, and he'll look to stay hot on the road Thursday in Game 3.
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Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Dazzles in Game 2 win
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Bobrovsky made 21 saves Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime win over the Lightning in Game 2 of the Panthers' first-round series.
The Bolts struck twice early in the second period, once on the power play, but otherwise Bobrovsky had an answer for everything they fired at him, including an impossible stop later in the middle frame when the goalie dove across the crease with his back to Matthew Dumba as the Tampa defenseman shot the puck toward a seemingly open net. Bobrovsky has allowed four goals on 42 shots to begin the playoffs. Including the end of the regular season, he's 5-0-1 over his last six outings with a 1.46 GAA and .942 save percentage. He'll look to stay locked in Thursday on the road for Game 3.
Bennett (upper body) won't return to Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Lightning.
Bennett reportedly took a shot to the hand, per David Dwork of The Hockey News. Bennett should be considered day-to-day until the Panthers provide another update. He scored a goal and added a power-play assist in Game 2 prior to his exit.
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Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Tending twine Tuesday
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Bobrovsky will defend the home cage against the Lightning in Game 2 on Tuesday.
Bobrovsky faced just 19 shots in Game 1, stopping 17 of them on the way to an .895 save percentage. Despite posting a sub-900 save percentage, the 35-year-old Russian still managed to secure an important victory for the Cats -- extending his winning streak to three contests. Barring an injury, Bobrovsky should be between the crease for every game in the playoffs.
Lomberg is under the weather and will be sidelined versus Tampa Bay for Game 2 on Tuesday, Steve Goldstein of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Lomberg is pointless in 14 straight contests, so his absence is unlikely to have a significant impact on fantasy players. With Lomberg unavailable, Steven Lorentz will come back into the lineup after having been a healthy scratch for the Cats' previous two contests.
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Panthers' Gustav Forsling: Snags helper in Game 1
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Forsling registered an assist in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Lightning in Game 1.
Forsling is currently stuck in a 17-game goal drought but has chipped in eight helpers over that stretch, including three in his last four appearances. While the blueliner was dropped from the power play in favor of Aaron Ekblad, Forsling should still see top-four minutes, which gives him decent offensive upside.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Two points pace Game 1 win
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Tkachuk scored a goal and added an assist in a 3-2 Game 1 win over the Lightning on Sunday.
With the score tied 1-1 early in the third period, Tkachuk provided a power-play assist on Carter Verhaeghe's go-ahead goal. Tkachuk added an empty-net goal late in the third period, which turned into the game-winner when Tampa scored in the final seconds. The physical winger also contributed two hits and four shots on net in 17:07 of ice time. This was his second multi-point game in a row and his fourth consecutive game with at least one point. The Panthers play at home again for Game 2 on Tuesday.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Two helpers in win
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Barkov notched two assists during Sunday's 3-2 Game 1 win over Tampa Bay.
Barkov assisted on Florida's first two goals of the game, including one on the power play in the third period for the go-ahead goal to break the 1-1 tie. He also added four hits and two shots on net in 21:46 of ice time. This was his second multi-point game in a row and his fourth consecutive game with at least one point. The Panthers play at home again for Game 2 on Tuesday.
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Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Gets win in Game 1
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Bobrovsky stopped 17 of 19 shots in Sunday's 3-2 Game 1 win over the Lightning.
While he didn't face many shots in Game 1, Bobrovsky was solid when needed. Brandon Hagel scored in the first period and then Bobrovsky kicked aside all shots sent his way until Steven Stamkos sniped one past him with 10 seconds left. Bobrovsky finished with an .895 save percentage and his first playoff win of the season. As the clear No. 1 netminder for the Panthers, plan for him to start every playoff game.
