Heavy lifting

Boughner continues to lean on some of his young stars for big minutes in the season’s first two weeks. On Saturday, Ekblad racked up 27:20 of ice time, the third time in his career he eclipsed the 27-minute mark and first time since Nov. 2015.

Meanwhile, Barkov logged a career-high 26:18 of ice time on Saturday night, the second time this season a Panthers forward has passed the 26-minute mark. Only four forwards in the NHL this season have notched at least 26 minutes. One was Trocheck. One was Barkov. One was Edmonton star and the other was Buffalo’s

and he played an overtime period.

“Besides the offense and what he did with the puck, as a coach you always look at defending and he’s such a smart player,” Boughner said. “Him and Trocheck really had a ton of ice time and a lot of forwards had to dig down deep tonight and find a little extra.”

Trocheck played 21:28 on Saturday night.

“I’d play 60 if they let me,” Trocheck said.

Boughner had to ask for extra playing time from his forwards because the Panthers were without two of them in the third period.

(upper

Connor McDavid Ryan O’Reilly Colton Sceviour Jared McCann

body) and (lower body) each missed the third period, shrinking the Panthers bench to 10 forwards. Boughner labeled both as day-to-day.