After a miracle win in overtime last night, the Florida Panthers have been hit with some unfortunate news ahead of their Second Round playoff matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to David Dwork of Local 10 Miami, forward Ryan Lomberg is labeled as week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Head coach Paul Maurice disclosed to reporters Monday that Lomberg was injured in Game 1 against the Boston Bruins and tried to play through it. Today’s news means Lomberg will likely miss significant time after also missing Games 5, 6, and 7 against the Boston Bruins, a blow for a Florida team looking to advance past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
Lomberg had a solid season in a depth role for the Panthers this season, playing in all 82 games and registering 12 goals, a career-high, and eight assists. Best known for his physicality and energy on the ice, Lomberg was certainly visible in the first half of the Boston series and his ability to stir the pot will be missed.
33-year-old Zac Dalpe has largely replaced Lomberg in Florida’s bottom six, recording his first Stanley Cup Playoffs goal in the process at a pivotal moment in Game 6 against Boston. Rough-and-tumble winger Givani Smith also remains on Florida’s active roster and could be an option.