Senators' Michalek, Zibanejad will play Thursday vs. Panthers

The Ottawa Senators will get two much-needed boosts to their lineup against the red-hot Florida Panthers on Thursday.

Milan Michalek will return from a 16-game absence due to a fractured finger.

The 31-year-old forward has not played since Dec. 1. He has five goals and three assists in 24 games this season.

Mika Zibanejad will also be in the lineup Thursday despite leaving Monday's game against the St. Louis Blues after taking a stick to the face.

Zibanejad says he expects to play tomorrow. Says he is "lucky" it wasn't worse. #Sens

- Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) January 6, 2016

The 22-year-old has seven goals and 16 assists in 39 games this season.

David Dziurzynski was placed on waivers with the return of Michalek and Zibanejad.

Copyright (C) 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.