As key stretch continues, Florida Panthers giving two young players an extended look

As the Florida Panthers continue their attempt to climb the standings and into playoff position, coach Paul Maurice is giving a pair of up-and-coming forwards in Grigori Denisenko and Givani Smith steady playing time.

And while the duo’s production might not necessarily show up on the scoresheet each night, Maurice is pleased with what he has seen from both him.

Let’s start with Denisenko, the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2018. The 22-year-old winger is getting back into a groove after only playing 53 total games the past two seasons — the American Hockey League was shut down during the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 and he missed most of last season with a kneecap injury.

Denisenko has three points this season, all assists, in 10 NHL games entering the Panthers’ game against the New York Rangers on Monday. He’s primarily on Florida’s third line and is averaging about 11 minutes of ice time per game.

Denisenko said in December when he was recalled for the first time that he needed to play with “more spark, more skill and more speed” to compete in the NHL He played six games in that stretch, one when Florida’s forward depth was thinned and reinforcements were needed.

This stint, however, is more about pure opportunity. Denisenko has replaced Colin White as a lineup regular the past four games, and Maurice has been impressed with Denisenko’s ability to be aggressive on the forecheck, battle for pucks in tough spots and be a quiet physical force. Denisenko has 16 hits, five blocked shots and one takeaway in his 10 games this season.

“For all of those guys looking to crack the NHL, they need one unique thing that the coach can understand and expect,” Maurice said. ”His is starting to be his [ability to] compete in the heavy areas, and he is going to do that every night. ... The question is whether he can do it every night, but he’s been doing it. If he continues to do that, the points we will wait for and we won’t judge him by assists or plus/minus. We’ll just judge him by that.”

As for Smith, the Panthers acquired him from the Detroit Red Wings as part of a three-team trade on Dec. 19, and he was inserted into the lineup four days later. The 24-year-old is playing on Florida’s physical, defensive-minded four line with Ryan Lomberg on the other wing.

Both are bruisers not afraid to get scrappy. In 11 games with Florida, Smith has 26 hits to go along with a goal and two assists. He also has four fighting penalties.

“He’s a big man on the skates,” Maurice said, “and he’s clearly not afraid of anything. He finishes every check. His positional play has been good. I like having a physical player like that in the lineup. It keeps things quiet on the road until you don’t want them quiet. I’ve got lots of room for him.”

Aleksander Barkov’s point streak

After a choppy first two months of the season that saw him sidelined twice, Aleksander Barkov is finally getting into a groove.

The Panthers’ captain and star center enters Monday on a seasonlong seven-game point streak, with three goals and seven assists in that stretch. He is one of 14 players in the NHL with at least 10 points since Jan. 10, the day Barkov’s point streak began. Teammates Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart are among that group.

Barkov’s previous seasonlong point streak before this was two games.

This individual run of success has aligned with the Panthers’ success as a whole. Florida is 5-1-1 during Barkov’s point streak.

It also aligns with Barkov being on the ice on a daily basis after missing extended time on two separate stretches to start the season.

Barkov did not play in 10 of Florida’s first 35 games — seven, including six in a row due to illness; three after getting hit in the knee on Dec. 17 against the New Jersey Devils, with his time off extending through the league’s mandated Christmas break.

On the season, Barkov has 40 points (12 goals, 28 assists) in 38 games. He has logged 18 of those 40 points in 13 games since returning from the knee injury.

“I’m getting better,” Barkov said. “I’m feeling better and still working toward that next step. It’s coming.”

Spencer Knight returns

The Florida Panthers on Monday recalled goaltender Spencer Knight to the active roster and sent goaltender Mack Guzda to AHL Charlotte, North Carolina.

Knight played both Saturday and Sunday with Charlotte after missing extended time with an undisclosed injury. His last live action with the Panthers was on Jan. 8 against the Dallas Stars.

Knight will most likely start on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins to complete Florida’s road back-to-back.