You could sense the excitement in Sunrise from a mile away. The Panthers’ trade deadline blockbuster acquisition of Brad Marchand sent shockwaves around the hockey world. But as soon as the excitement rose, it came to a halt. Marchand, the now-former Bruins captain, hadn’t played since March 1 due to an upper-body injury. With the Panthers set to host the Utah Hockey Club, fans can finally get what they’ve been waiting for—a glimpse of Marchand in a Panthers jersey. Will Friday night be the night?

The short answer is: maybe. Coach Paul Maurice wouldn’t commit to Marchand’s return on Wednesday—although he didn’t dismiss it, either. The 36-year-old winger has been skating with the team and was restored to the second line for a second straight practice, sandwiched between Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich. “”He has been on the ice for a little bit now,” Maurice told reporters. “That’s probably the advantage to four days (off) in that we don’t lose another game. We’ll get him through a full practice (Thursday) and make an assessment. But we are shooting for Friday against Utah right now.”

Maurice was being conservative in his response, but it looks like Panthers fans can dare to dream a little. Acquired on March 7 from Boston for a conditional second-round pick, Marchand has not played for Florida though he has been frequently pictured skating during the team’s training sessions. The fact that he’s on the ice at all is a good sign and bodes well for a return sooner rather than later.

Marchand entered the team with 21 goals and 26 assists on the season and 422 career goals over 16 NHL seasons. Despite his hopes of finishing his career in Boston, contract extension talks stalled, and the Panthers pounced. Now, they’re eyeing his presence as a key addition in their playoff push.

 A familiar face on the second line with Brad Marchand & the Panthers’ playoff push

With Matthew Tkachuk still sidelined, Maurice hinted that Marchand’s experience and leadership fit nicely on the second line—especially given his chemistry with Sam Bennett. The duo previously played together internationally for Team Canada, which adds familiarity to the mix.

“With Matthew out of our lineup, there’s a place for [Marchand], for sure,” Maurice said. “That’s just comfort level. Of all the games he has played with our guys, the most have been with Sam Bennett (internationally for Canada). He has some conversation there. That’s the idea of putting him there.”

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And the timing couldn’t be more critical. The Panthers (43-25-3, 89 points) are battling for top positioning in the Atlantic Division, currently tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning and just one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their opponent on Friday, the Utah Hockey Club, was walloped 8-0 by Tampa in their last outing—offering Florida a potential opportunity to pounce.

Maurice emphasized that Marchand’s health remains the highest priority. “We’re not jamming these guys back on their first available day,” he emphasized. “We’re not bringing them in early. If (Marchand) says he wants a few more days, we’re good with that.“

Whether he suits up Friday or not, one thing is certain—Marchand’s return is coming, and for a Panthers team chasing a Cup double, it couldn’t be better timed.