Injury-ridden Panthers, with playoffs unlikely, welcome Wild

The Florida Panthers, who have won the past two Stanley Cup titles, never thought they'd be in their current predicament.

But largely due to a multitude of injuries, the Panthers (35-32-3, 73 points) are on the brink of playoff elimination with a dozen games remaining in the regular season. They are 12 points behind the Ottawa Senators in the chase for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Even so, the Panthers -- who will host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in Sunrise, Fla.