Florida’s penalty kill has been pretty effective this season -- currently sitting 11th in the NHL, at 81.7 percent -- but the unit took a big hit this week, as Derek MacKenzie has been ruled out for at least the net two weeks with a fractured foot.
Per the Sun-Sentinel, MacKenzie suffered the injury blocking a shot against the Flyers on Saturday and was seen on crutches and in a walking boot following the contest.
The 34-year-old veteran will be missed. Though he’s hardly an offensive dynamo -- just six goals and 13 points through 59 games -- he does lead all Panthers forwards in shorthanded time on ice, at 3:14 per contest.
MacKenzie also leads the team in hits, with 143, is one of the club’s top faceoff men and serves as one of Florida’s alternate captains.
