SUNRISE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov is in.
Barkov, the Florida Panthers celebrity who was knocked out of Recreation 2 by a controversial Brandon Hagel hit, is slotted into the lineup for at present’s Recreation 3 in opposition to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice indicated on Saturday morning that his captain may doubtlessly play in Recreation 3 in opposition to Tampa Bay this afternoon.
“He has to take warm-ups,” Maurice stated a few hours earlier than the scheduled 1 p.m. puck drop. “He has to get by means of it. We expect he’s good.”
Barkov did certainly participate in warm-ups, wanting completely snug all through.
The defending champion Panthers lead this collection, 2-0.
Barkov, one of many NHL’s greatest two-way gamers, was injured within the third interval of Recreation 2 when he was walloped by a blind aspect hit from Hagel. The NHL suspended Hagel one game for the hit, largely as a result of the puck was nowhere close to Barkov on the time contact was made.
Barkov remained on the ice for a couple of minute after absorbing the hit, then walked very slowly to the locker room at Amalie Enviornment halfway by means of Recreation 2’s third interval. He didn’t return.
The Panthers by no means revealed what the damage was, although it’s affordable to conclude that there was at the least concern a couple of concussion, given the affect of the Hagel hit and that Barkov seemed unsteady whereas strolling to the locker room.
This may also mark Matthew Tkachuk’s first house recreation in Florida since Feb. 8.
Aaron Ekblad additionally returned from a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL’s Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
(Photograph: Mike Carlson / Getty Pictures)
