Yandle's consecutive games streak expected to end Sunday

The NHL's longest active consecutive games streak will likely be snapped Sunday.

Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle isn't expected to play in the team's season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Joel Quenneville told NHL.com's Dan Rosen and Shawn Roarke on "The Rink" podcast Friday.

"It's a situation where, in his spot, it's not where he wants to be," Quenneville said. "Obviously, everybody wants to play, and we've got some tough decisions, and that's been one right now that if we had to (make now for) Sunday, he's not going to be in the lineup."

Quenneville added that the club is evaluating a lot of young players and "the opportunity is a little bit tight" for Yandle at the moment, but he acknowledged things could change quickly.

Yandle has played 866 straight NHL games dating back to 2009. The 34-year-old didn't practice with the team's primary group Friday, according to NHL.com.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Yandle has fallen out of favor with the Panthers, and that he didn't factor into their plans this season and would be a healthy scratch "at some point."

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