Panthers coach Kevin Dineen is "cautiously optimistic" that defenseman Jason Garrison will be back in the Florida lineup when the team entertains the New Jersey Devils in their opening-round playoff series. Garrison was a late scratch for Game 4 because of a lower-body injury and his absence was obvious on the power play. In the first three games, the Panthers scored on 60 percent of their power plays against the league's top-rated penalty killing unit. Without Garrison, the Panthers didn't score in six opportunities in their loss. Garrison was replaced in Thursday's lineup by Keaton Ellerby, but he will not be able to play on Saturday if Garrison is unable to go. Ellerby suffered a lower body injury himself after a hit by the Devils' Stephen Gionta early in the second period. He did not return to the game after the hit, leaving the Panthers with five defensemen. If Garrison can't play today, the Panthers would likely call up Tyson Strachen or Colby Robak from AHL affiliate San Antonio, who themselves are playing in the first round of the playoffs.