Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant will not be behind his team’s bench Wednesday night, as he is in Prince Edward Island for his mother’s funeral.
Gallant is one of the front-runners for the Jack Adams Trophy this year, having led the Panthers to a surprising spot atop the Atlantic Division through 43 games this season.
Gallant’s assistant Mike Kelly will take over the head coaching duties. Kelly was hired along with Mike Morris in July 2014.
Kelly served under Gallant with the Saint John Sea Dogs from 2009-12 and took over as head coach in 2013.
The Panthers had a 12-game win streak snapped with an overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks Monday, but head to Calgary looking to get a point in 14 straight games.
Sophomore Aaron Ekblad is expected to miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury.