The Florida Panthers are purring along, and will welcome a fresh face back to the lineup Tuesday.

Sophomore forward Aleksander Barkov has been activated off injured reserve and is expected to play against the Washington Capitals after being out since Dec. 1 with a hand injury.

The club is 5-3-2 in its past 10 games, moving into an Eastern Conference playoff spot in the process.

A third-overall pick in 2013, Barkov recorded two goals and two assists prior to his injury.