SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — A.J. Greer returned for the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night after missing the first two in the series against the Edmonton Oilers because of injury.
Jesper Boqvist came out of the lineup to make room for Greer, who is making his first career appearance in the final.
“It’s definitely a dream come true, but I’m not really trying to focus on that,” Greer said after the team's morning skate in Fort Lauderdale. “It’s another game for me and I’m just trying to enjoy it, but I’m not trying to associate anything bigger than just my next shift, really.”
Greer, 28, gutted through injury for part of this playoff run before exiting in the Eastern Conference final against Carolina when it was clear he wasn't healthy enough to stay in. Maurice lauded Greer for his lack of selfishness and an abundance of self-awareness to understand when the pain threshold was reached and do what's best for the team.
“Good on him for recognizing that,” coach Paul Maurice said. “We were fortunate that we were able to heal A.J. to a place that he’s really confident in what he’s doing. ... He’s been such a positive part of what we do.”
Greer almost wasn't here at all. A little over four years ago, he was languishing in the minors and almost giving up on his NHL dream.
“I was pretty much 24 hours away from just calling it, going to Europe and trying to just get a paycheck, trying to squeeze out every dollar that I can out of this sport and then live my life,” Greer said. “Fortunately, things kind of bounced my way.”
Greer was essentially a throw-in as part of a trade to the New Jersey Devils that got the New York Islanders Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac, who helped them reach the East final. Greer — who was a second-round pick of Colorado in 2015 and played 37 games for the Avalanche from 2016-18 — developed some confidence with the American Hockey League's Utica Comets and cracked the Devils' roster a few times.
Agent Philippe Lecavalier challenged Greer over whether he wanted to be an AHL player or adapt his style to be a role player in the NHL.
“You could say I wanted to try to prove him wrong,” Greer said. “I kind of just went day by day, got better mentally, physically and matured with my game. I understood if I wanted to ever play in the NHL again, the way I have to play and the things I have to do — and I got a chance, so I’m very grateful for that. It all led up to here.”
At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Greer has been a physical force for Florida as the Panthers try to repeat as champions. He is one of the newcomers, along with their leading scorer in the final, Nate Schmidt, and teammates are happy to have Greer back.
“He’s a pain to play against,” Evan Rodrigues said. “He’s a guy that can change the momentum of a game. He’s heavy on the forecheck. For the most part, I don’t think you want to get hit by him. He’s a really good presence for us. And he chips in offensively. He lays the body. Just overall a pain the neck to play against.”
That came with time and trial and error as Greer learned how to have an impact with limited ice time. This spring brought his first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and he has made the most of his nearly eight minutes a game.
“My game’s grown, especially this year,” Greer said. “My confidence has grown, and I’m ready to take on the biggest challenge that I’ve really faced in my career.”
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
FILE - Florida Panthers' A.J. Greer plays during an NHL hockey game, Jan. 13, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, file)
Teyana Taylor and Jenna Ortega took risks on the Golden Globes red carpet with celebrities opting for classic black, velvet tuxes and voluminous ball gowns.
Taylor wore a custom slinky gown in black that showed off some skin and featured a deep low-cut back with a glittery low-hanging bow. Lisa of Blackpink arrived on the carpet Sunday in a semi-sheer goth-inspired look by Jacquemus in black. Ayo Edebiri and Selena Gomez were also in black.
Edebiri kept it classic in a black off-the-shoulder Chanel dress embellished with jewels on the shoulders from Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’Art 2026 show. Gomez also arrived in a black dress with a white feathered bustier.
Host Nikki Glaser, who is hosting for the second time, brought some color to the carpet where she wore a strapless satin blush-pink corseted satin gown with a full skirt by Zuhair Murad.
Celebrities are holding onto their gowns and watching their steps as they pose for photos on this year’s Golden Globes red carpet. Like the Met Gala, fashion stars are lining up steps for their picture-perfect moment.
The 83rd Golden Globes gives a glimpse into how A-listers and rising stars will each showcase their original take on fashion. Since 1944, the show has honored the best in film and television, and for the first time, podcasters have been added to the awards lineup.
The carpet — at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California — is a chance for nominees to make a statement, though some are beholden to fashion houses who pay them as ambassadors.
While some fashionistas were predicting white as the color of the night after several celebrities chose it for the Critics Choice Movie Awards, there were several pops of color at the Globes.
“Sinners” star Wunmi Mosaku stunned in a flowy yellow Matthew Reisman gown. The mother-to-be revealed her baby bump on the carpet.
“Sinners” is up for several nominations including best motion picture.
The male nominees didn’t stray too far from traditional looks. Actor Colman Domingo pared down his typical colorful suits for a black suited look adorned with silver leaves.
“Heated Rivalry” star Hudson Williams brought the cummerbund back but with a laid-back twist. The breakout star paired a white-peak lapel dinner jacket with an unbuttoned silk shirt. Williams, along with his co-star Connor Storrie, will serve as presenters during the award ceremony. Storrie opted for a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello tuxedo jacket paired with a tie and sunglasses.
Jenna Rosenstein, beauty director for Harper’s Bazaar, noted Storrie's hair transformation. Storrie plastered his trademark curly locks into a shaggy, retro-inspired mullet. Among the women, beauty highlights included the swoopy bobs of Edebiri and Gomez, she said.
For more coverage of the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/golden-globe-awards
Connor Storrie arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Colman Domingo arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Ayo Edebiri arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jenna Ortega arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jenna Ortega arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Teyana Taylor arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Teyana Taylor arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Justine Lupe arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Brittany Snow arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Brittany Snow arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Wunmi Mosaku arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Lisa arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Ariana Grande arrives at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
