Barkov out for two to three weeks as Panthers face Sabres without Tkachuk

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will miss the game against the Buffalo Sabres due to a lower body injury sustained in a recent match. He is expected to be out for two to three weeks but did not suffer a fracture. Star winger Matthew Tkachuk is also unavailable for the game due to illness. The Panthers have recalled rookie forward Patrick Giles for his NHL debut, while Tomas Nosek has been placed on long-term injured reserve. With Barkov and Tkachuk out, the Panthers will adjust their forward lines and use seven defensemen in the lineup. Spencer Knight will start in goal, and defenseman Adam Boqvist returns after missing the last game.