Practice notebook: Panthers return from holiday break healthier, motivated group

The Florida Panthers held their first post-holiday break practice on Friday in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida is hosting the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday afternoon in Sunrise.

Friday’s skate was the first time we’ve seen the Panthers since their loss on Monday to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The hope was that the extended time off would help the Cats heal up and get healthy, as several players had been battling different injuries and illnesses.

As far as the forwards go, the only missing player was Jonah Gadjovich.

He’s been dealing with an upper-body injury that kept him out of Florida’s past two games.

Jesper Boqvist, who also was nursing an upper-body issue, was on the ice and is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday.

He skated on Florida’s third line Friday, with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.

In terms of the defensemen, Niko Mikkola did not skate and is considered day-to-day with his own upper-body injury.

Mikkola will be out against the Habs, so Adam Boqvist will slot into the lineup.

Saturday’s matchup with Montreal will be the first of four home games for the Panthers this week.

See you at the rink!

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