It’s a good time to be a fan of the Florida Panthers.
They’re in first place in the Atlantic Division, they’re currently riding an eight-game winning streak and tonight, they’ll welcome their leading goalscorer from last season, Nick Bjugstad, back into their lineup.
#FlaPanthers @NBjugstad72 is back in the lineup for tonight's #MINvsFLA! pic.twitter.com/InIEL8AATJ
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) January 3, 2016
The 23-year-old has been out since Dec. 1 because of an upper-body injury.
He’s expected to center Florida’s third line with Brandon Pirri and Logan Shaw.
Welcome back @NBjugstad72 to #FlaPanthers lineup tonight. Centers @loganshaw11 & @pirri91 . Cats go for 9th win in a row. 6pm @FOXSportsFL
— Steve Goldstein #goldieonbermuda419 (@goldieonice) January 3, 2016
If you thought head coach Gerard Gallant would wait until his team loses to insert Bjugstad back into his lineup, guess again.
Gallant said he didn't care if Panthers were 15-0 he'd get Bjugstad back in the lineup. #FlaPanthers
— Harvey Fialkov (@hfialkov) January 3, 2016
After tonight’s game, Florida will hit the road for the next two weeks.
The road trip will take them to Buffalo, Ottawa, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary and Tampa.