Florida Panthers
Forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand are nearing returning from injury, coach Paul Maurice said, but they will remain out when the Panthers visit the Washington Capitals on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MNMT). Tkachuk, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia on Aug. 22, skated with Florida’s extra players Saturday morning, and Maurice said he has responded well to workouts. “He’s close,” Maurice said. “He’s getting pushed hard on the ice. He’s coming back. The recovery has been good. He hasn’t felt at a hundred percent, but the last two days he pushed hard, came back, felt good. So, I don’t think he’s very far away now.” Marchand will miss…