Some reinforcements could be on the way for the flailing Florida Panthers.
Aleksander Barkov and Dmitry Kulikov both skated with teammates at an optional practice on Tuesday for the first time since being injured, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reported.
The two-time defending champions have lost four straight games to fall farther out of the playoff picture and saw forward Sam Bennett go down with an upper-body injury on Monday.
Bennett is being listed as day-to-day along with fellow injured forwards Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell, head coach Paul Maurice said on Tuesday. All three could suit up Wednesday against the Boston Bruins, Maurice said.
Barkov, the team captain, has not appeared in a game this season after tearing his ACL and MCL during the Panthers' first practice of training camp. He resumed skating in November.
The reigning King Clancy and Selke trophies winner put up 71 points (20 goals and 51 assists) through 67 regular-season appearances last season, while logging 22 points (six goals and 16 assists) in Florida's run to a second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Kulikov appeared in just two games before going down with an upper-body injury that required surgery. He was ruled out for five months in October.
The 35-year-old Russian defenceman had four goals and nine assists in 70 regular-season games last season and two goals and three assists in 23 playoff games.
Florida has been short-handed all season, with Matthew Tkachuk also missing the first half before returning Jan. 19. He has two goals and four assists in eight games.
Marchand has not played since Jan. 29, when he exited a game against the St. Louis Blues. The Team Canada forward has played 45 games this season around injuries, tallying 25 goals and 25 assists.
Lundell is dealing with an upper-body injury. In 52 games, the Team Finland member has 15 goals and 21 assists.
The Panthers host the Boston Bruins on Wednesday and visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday ahead of the Olympic break.
