After battling injuries for most of the season, Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen is set to return to the team, reports Bill Van Smith of the Miami Herald. Clemmensen's season got off to a late start as he recovered from offseason knee surgery. He recorded a shutout against the Dallas Stars--recording 25 saves in the process--on Nov. 15, but suffered a groin injury afterward and has yet to play since.
But that's about to change. "For the first time in a long time, I feel good," Clemmensen told Van Smith. "I feel good about feeling good." Coach Kevin Dineen expects to use Clemmensen during the Panthers' current road trip, which started Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning and continues Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Panthers have fared well in Clemmensen's absence, with a 12-7-4 record and the lead in the Southeast Division. Jose Theodore has gotten the balance of the time in goal and has compiled a 2.37 goals-against average, saving 92.2 percent of the shots sent his way. Jacob Markstrom has made the most of his six starts in relief of Theodore, with a 2.59 GAA and 92.8 percent save mark.
Florida ranks No. 10 in the NHL in goals allowed.