On Thursday morning, Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville announced that goaltender Chris Driedger would be out for the next few days with a lower-body injury.
#FlaPanthers coach Joel Quenneville said Chris Driedger is dealing with a lower body injury and is out the next few days
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) April 22, 2021
Chris Driedger Listed Day-to-Day
Lasted playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 15th, Driedger has missed the past three games. While it was not officially announced until today that the goaltender would miss some time. The team called up 2019 first overall pick Spencer Knight to get some time within the NHL days prior. Coincidence? Possible, but the Panthers are usually pretty good at keeping these things under wraps.
So far this season, he has played and started in 20 different matchups for the Panthers. During those games, Driedger records a 12-5-3 record. On top of a .927 save percentage and 2.09 goals-against average. Even though he is considered the backup, he plays just as well and, if not better than Sergei Bobrovsky. A humongous reason for the Panthers’ success this season.
Over his five-year NHL career, Driedger has played for the Ottawas Senators and the Panthers. He has a 19-8-4 record with a .930 save percentage and 2.10 goals-against average. The Senators originally drafted him in the 3rd round, 76th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
With Driedger out for the next few days, the Panthers will most likely give Knight a few more reps in between the pipes. With an incredible 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Knight played as advertised. Only one goal against on 34 shots and a .971 save percentage. Panthers fans should be excited for him to make a full-time roster spot.
Looking at the schedule ahead, the Panthers have nine games left in the regular season. At second in the Discover Central Division, the Panthers need to do everything they can to secure that top spot in that division. Having to deal with Tampa Bay or the Carolina Hurricanes in a best-of-seven is not ideal for any team trying to make a Stanley Cup run. While Bobrovsky has played well this season, this is the time for the ‘Bob’ the Panthers paid $10 million to step up.
