The Latest on Florida Panthers Rookie Mackie Samoskevich

Not long after scoring the Florida Panthers first goal Thursday night, Mackie Samoskevich left the game and did not return.

Samoskevich appeared to get tangled up in the corner and was slow to skate off the ice early in the second period.

After Florida beat the Blues 3-2 on a late goal from Matthew Tkachuk, coach Paul Maurice said Samoskevich had an upper-body injury.

I dont think its too, too bad, Maurice said.

Samoskevich, 22, had missed the previous three games with an illness but looked good in the time he was on the ice Thursday.

He deflected a shot from Sam Bennett from in front of the net at 3:31, tying the score at 1.

Samoskevich had not scored since Dec.

30 a span of 14 games.

He looked exactly like he did in the LA game at home, which is why we were excited about it before he got sick, Maurice said of having Samoskevich on the second line with Bennett and Tkachuk.

We think we have something we really like.

We just cant keep it together.

With the Panthers not playing again until Nov.

22 against Seattle, Maurice said that Samoskevich could miss Saturdays game against the Ottawa Senators and be ready for the teams final push to the playoffs.

If he doesnt go against Ottawa, he gets to go through that break and we can get those guys back together, Maurice said.

They have some chemistry, for sure.

This article first appeared on Florida Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission..

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