Aleksander Barkov returned for the Panthers against the Montreal Canadiens at FLA Live Arena on Thursday.
The center, who sustained a knee injury during a 4-2 win at the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 17, missed three games for the Panthers, each a loss, at the Boston Bruins on Dec. 19, against the Devils on Dec. 21 and at the New York Islanders on Friday. Barkov also missed six games because of illness from Nov. 26-Dec. 6.
The Panthers (15-16-4) also had back defenseman Radko Gudas, who missed 10 games because of a concussion, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who left during the first period against the Islanders with an upper-body injury.
"We went through a run of illness in December, where we'd have a guy miss a game come back, but the next two or three he was really struggling," Florida coach Paul Maurice said of Barkov after the morning skate Thursday. "So, we had a whole bunch of guys dealing with that. My trainer came in and said, 'Nothing to report this morning.' I haven't heard that in 2 1/2 months. So, we're pretty happy, pretty excited here."
Forward Anton Levtchi made his NHL debut for the Panthers after being recalled from Charlotte of the American Hockey League on Monday. Levtchi was signed June 14 after playing for Tappara in Liiga, the top professional league in Finland. Barkov is one of Tappara's owners. -- Alain Poupart