The Florida Panthers are riding high after a dominant 6-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final at Amerant Bank Arena. The No. 3 seed from the Atlantic Division erupted for five goals in a jaw-dropping 10:37 span in the third period. But amidst the celebration, one question lingers—the status of Sam Reinhart, the Panthers’ leading scorer from the regular season?

The forward was injured on the power play at 14:49 of the first period of Game 2, when an open ice hip check from the Canes’ Sebastian Aho knocked him to the ice. Sam Reinhart showed his toughness by returning for a brief 12-second shift later in the period, but that was it. He didn’t return for the remainder of the game, leaving Panthers fans anxious and speculating about the severity of the injury.

After practice on May 25, 2025, Maurice faced the media with his characteristic blend of candor and pragmatism. When asked about Reinhart’s status for Game 3, he kept things measured: “Yeah, I don’t think that, I think we’ll know by the morning skate, like I think everybody’s gonna be ready to go tomorrow, I don’t think. I think we’re still waiting on Sam Reinhardt, I’ll have an answer for you tomorrow, I don’t think that’s a game-timer for us, we’ll just decide in the morning skate who’s playing, so I’ll have all that for you tomorrow.” Translation? The Panthers are not jumping to conclusions, yet.

Reinhart’s 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 14 playoff games have been a continuation of his form in the regular season, during which he racked up 39 goals and 81 points in 79 games. While Maurice acknowledged made sure not to underestimate the severity of the blow that is Reinhart’s injury, he also clarified that he has no intention of dwelling on it. “You can’t have one guy go down and not still have a chance, or you don’t have the depth that you think,” he said. With Reinhart sidelined for Game 3, it was Jesper Boqvist who played on the top line alongside captain Aleksander and Evan Rodrigues. In fact, it was Boqvist who gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead thanks to a breakaway at 1:29 of the third period.

But while Game 3 was one-sided to say the least, it ended with a fresh set of concerns for the Panthers as both Nikko Mikola and A.J. Greer had to step off the ice with their own injuries. Thankfully, however, those do not seem as bad as Reinhart’s.

Sam Reinhart may be uncertain for Game 4. Mikola and Greer? Not so much.

Defenseman Niko Mikkola also caused worry after awkwardly crashing into the boards in the third period of Game 3. After his two-goal performance, he departed the ice, grasping his shoulder with 11:58 left. Luckily, Maurice indicated following Sunday’s practice at Baptist Health IcePlex that Mikkola might be ready to roll. “I think he’s good, but we’re going to give it another day to be sure,” he said.

Apart from racking up three goals and two assists for five points this postseason, the 6-foot-6 D-man has also been an important physical presence on the ice, having recorded 40 hits and 13 blocked shots in 15 games this postseason. Likewise, forward A.J. Greer, who’s been merciless with 29.67 hits per 60 minutes and departed prematurely, but seems to be on the mend. With a 3-0 series advantage and an opportunity to secure a Stanley Cup Final spot, the Panthers are intent on getting it done. Maurice anticipates having definitive answers come Monday morning’s skate.

Speaking of answers, while Sebastian Aho’s hit on Sam Reinhart definitely did its damage, Matthew Tkachuk made sure that the Canes’ center was paid back in kind. After a great deal of pushing and shoving in the third period of Game 3, Tkachuk finally managed to take Aho down to the ice. An offence that got the Panthers star a misconduct. But did he mind? “It’s just sticking up for teammates,” Tkachuk said. “We’re a family in there. It could happen to anybody. There’s probably 20 guys racing to be the guy to stick up for a teammate like that.”  The puck for Game 4 drops Monday at the Amerant Bank Arena. What do you think? Will Reinhart be able to manage a return back then?