Nothing has been able to slow the Panthers’ momentum since the middle of their first-round series against the Bruins.
Florida won three straight to upset Boston, took four out of five against the Maple Leafs, and won the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final in Carolina. The last thing the Panthers need is an injury to one of their most crucial pieces.
Aleksander Barkov appeared to suffer an injury in Game 3 against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night, adding a major concern to a Florida playoff run that has been smooth sailing for much of the last three weeks.
Barkov had 78 points across 68 games this season, scoring 23 goals. The former No. 2 pick totaled 88 points during the Panthers’ President’s Trophy season in 2021-22 and has 12 points through 15 games in these playoffs.
MORE: See Panthers’ roster, lineup combinations as team chases Stanley Cup
Here’s what we know about Barkov’s injury status after he exited Game 3 on Tuesday.
Is Aleksander Barkov playing in Game 4 vs. Hurricanes?
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said after Wednesday’s morning skate that Barkov will play in Game 4 against the Hurricanes.
Paul Maurice says Sasha Barkov will play in Game 4 tonight.
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) May 24, 2023
Barkov was a participant at the Panthers’ morning skate ahead of the Game 4 contest. Maurice was optimistic on Tuesday about Barkov’s chances of returning on Wednesday, and it looks like he was right.
Aleksander Barkov is on the ice for the Panthers morning skate after leaving Game 3 with a lower body injury
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 24, 2023
Aleksander Barkov injury update
Barkov left Game 3 after taking a hit into the boards by Hurricanes center Jack Drury. While the hit seemed routine at the time, Barkov didn’t return in the period and didn’t come out for the second period. He was officially listed as questionable to return.
Aleksander Barkov spent the end of the period in the locker room after this contact at the boards#TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/lQdBWnHT8v
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 23, 2023
Barkov seemed to be favoring his arm initially, but the Panthers confirmed he is dealing with a lower-body injury. No other details on the injury were revealed.
Sasha Barkov officially questionable to return to Game 3 with a lower-body injury.
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) May 23, 2023
Maurice did not have an update after the game. He jokingly said that Barkov had to go to a neighbor’s bar mitzvah.
“He was at a bar mitzvah, his neighbour had a… yeah that’s what we’ll go with… a bar mitzvah.” 😆
Paul Maurice when asked about Aleksander Barkov. pic.twitter.com/F90aXMovRr
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 23, 2023
Maurice gave an actual update on Tuesday morning. He said that the team was hopeful that Barkov was going to return to Game 3, however, the captain did not. Maurice said that the injury “is not anything too sinister,” a good sign going forward.
🚨Sasha Barkov injury update🚨 @FlaPanthers coach Paul Maurice told @JoeRoseShow there was a point last night where they though Barkov would return to action. Maurice thinks the injury is “not anything too sinister” and he’s “more on the optimistic side.”https://t.co/0Tf49VWg77 pic.twitter.com/MR6LTS2Ssu
— AM 560 Sports WQAM (@560WQAM) May 23, 2023
