Florida Panthers forward Kyle Okposo will play in the postseason for the first time in eight years on Thursday when he takes the ice for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series versus the host Tampa Bay Lightning.
Okposo, 36, last competed in the playoffs on May 8, 2016. He is drawing into the lineup with Ryan Lomberg ruled out due to illness.
“He’s very excited about the game,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “He will relish this, the opportunity. Serious pro, very detailed guy. He’s going to be all wired in for the game but there’s also going to be a piece of him that understands that there’s not 15 more seasons of playoffs ahead of him. This is something he needs to enjoy.”
Florida is enjoying a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Okposo has been held off the scoresheet in all six games this season with the Panthers. Florida acquired him on March 8 from the Buffalo Sabres, with whom he had 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 61 games.
Okposo has 614 points (242 goals, 372 assists) in 1,051 career games with the New York Islanders (2007-16), Sabres (2016-24) and Panthers. The Islanders selected Okposo with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft.
–Field Level Media
Minnesota coach Chris Finch didn’t see the end of his team’s game in Phoenix on Wednesday night, but he certainly had to like what transpired after he was ejected. The…
Trae Young is confident the Atlanta Hawks will emerge better and stronger from their current rut. That quest begins in Cleveland on Thursday against a Cavaliers outfit rolling again on…
Playing without their red-hot star Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers travel to the nation’s capital to face the reeling Washington Wizards on Thursday. Los Angeles saw its four-game winning…
Hawks look to extend good fortune vs. Cavaliers
Lakers look to limit turnovers in clash vs. woeful Wizards
Islanders aim to continue hot streak in rematch vs. Flyers
Lightning end busy month with encounter vs. Kings
Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM
