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Panthers’ Versteeg (upper body) questionable for Thursday versus Habs

Kris Versteeg

Panthers forward Kris Versteeg was absent from practice today and, according to Florida head coach Kevin Dineen, is questionable for Thursday’s home game against Montreal.

The Sun-Sentinel is reporting that Versteeg suffered the injury when he was hit into the boards by Washington’s Alex Ovechkin during last night’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Capitals.

Versteeg returned to the game, and even fought Ovechkin, but the 26-year-old (who’s already missed five games this season with a groin injury) was clearly shaken up after the hit.

The Panthers have to be pretty shaken up as well after blowing a late two-goal lead to the Caps. Florida now sits 4-6-2 after 12 games and has the NHL’s worst goals-against average (3.83).

Still, Dineen reportedly “wouldn’t even touch the thought of” bringing up goalie Jacob Markstrom from AHL San Antonio, where the 23-year-old is 15-14-2 with a .923 save percentage.

Florida’s tandem of Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen has combined for a .872 save percentage, the second lowest in the NHL.