Barkov questionable for Panthers for Recreation 3 of Stanley Cup Remaining – NHL.com

Middle was injured following excessive hit by Draisaitl in third interval of Recreation 2 win towards Oilers
© Dave Sandford/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov is feeling higher, and it is potential he might play for the Florida Panthers in Recreation 3 of the Stanley Cup Remaining towards the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, CBC, TVAS, SN).
The Panthers’ high heart and captain did not play the ultimate 9:28 of their 4-1 win in Recreation 2 at Amerant Financial institution Enviornment on Monday after taking a excessive hit from ahead Leon Draisaitl, who was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.
Barkov was down for a minute or so after the hit earlier than being helped off the ice and to the dressing room.
“He got here in at this time, he wasn’t worse, in order that’s a very good factor, and the actual evaluation will probably be tomorrow,” Florida coach Paul Maurice stated Tuesday. “But when he continues to progress, we must be in good condition.”
Maurice wasn’t able to say that Barkov will journey with the crew to Edmonton on Wednesday however sounded optimistic about his availability going ahead within the best-of-7 sequence, which the Panthers lead 2-0 after successful the primary two video games at residence.
“I do not know if I can do all of the hypotheticals for you,” Maurice stated. “He left. We had some issues that wanted to get checked out at this time that acquired checked out, so there’s nothing sinister there. So, he form of handed that. He felt higher at this time, feels good.
“However you have to give it then one other 24 hours to make it possible for he is nonetheless feeling sturdy and if that continues to progress, then we predict he’ll be a participant for us.”
Maurice’s temper was optimistic as nicely after he stated he was, “grumpy,” after the sport Monday. Nonetheless, he nonetheless did not need to talk about Draisaitl’s hit on Barkov.
“It is achieved,” Maurice stated. “The refs known as a penalty on the ice. The League appears to be like at nearly each single hit. They will make their choice after which we aren’t coping with that anymore at this time. A part of that’s simply the psychological self-discipline to go away the sport the place it’s whatever the outcome.”
Draisaitl stated the play was not out of frustration and that it was “only a hit.”
“I do not assume there was something soiled about it,” Draisaitl stated after Recreation 2. “I do not know, perhaps I acquired him a little bit excessive, however actually not any intent to injure or something like that.”
NHL Tonight discusses the harm to Aleksander Barkov
Barkov, who received the Selke Trophy as one of the best defensive ahead within the NHL for the second time this season, has been a key a part of shutting down Oilers famous person forwards Connor McDavid and Draisaitl by two video games. McDavid had one help and three pictures on purpose in Recreation 2, and Draisaitl was held with no level on two pictures. Earlier than the Oilers misplaced 3-0 in Recreation 1 on Saturday, McDavid (31 factors; 5 objectives, 26 assists) and Draisaitl (28 factors; 10 objectives, 18 assists) had mixed for 59 factors by 18 playoff video games.
Actually, the NHL’s high three scorers within the postseason — McDavid, Draisaitl and Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (28 factors; six objectives, 22 assists) — have mixed for simply two assists within the Remaining. Bouchard additionally had an help Monday.
Barkov had two pictures on purpose in 17:47 of ice time in Recreation 2 after having two assists in 21:06 of ice time in Recreation 1. The 28-year-old is tied with Matthew Tkachuk for the Panthers lead with 19 factors (six objectives, 13 assists) and is second amongst their forwards in common ice time (21:31), behind Sam Reinhart (21:51) in 19 playoff video games.
“He is our captain,” Panthers ahead Anton Lundell stated after Recreation 2. “We by no means need to miss him, however we hope it’ll be OK. We hope he will be again. We love him and hope he is coming again even stronger.”
The Panthers have some expertise taking part in with out Barkov from when he missed eight video games over a number of stints throughout the common season due to a lower-body harm and one sport due to an sickness. Florida additionally performed 5 video games with out second-line heart Sam Bennett when he was out with an upper-body harm earlier within the playoffs.
In every case, Lundell moved up from the third line to heart one of many high two traces.
“So, we have achieved it sufficient that everyone when you walked in there and say, ‘If ‘Barky’ does not play, what are the traces?’ the fellows would all know in all probability what the traces are,” Maurice stated.
The Panthers had been comparatively wholesome earlier than Recreation 2. Along with Barkov leaving within the third interval, ahead Eetu Luostarinen left after taking a kneeing hit from Warren Foegele at 9:21 of the primary interval and defenseman Aaron Ekblad went to the locker room after showing to have his ankle twisted when he acquired tangled with McDavid behind the web late within the first.
Every returned by the top of the interval, and when requested Tuesday if they’re OK, Maurice stated, “We’re good.”
Florida has been far more healthy in these playoffs than when it reached the Cup Remaining final season and misplaced to the Vegas Golden Knights in 5 video games. Essentially the most notable accidents have been to Tkachuk, (fractured sternum), Ekblad (foot, shoulder, indirect), Luostarinen (fractured leg) and defenseman Brandon Montour (shoulder).
“We have been beat to loss of life,” Maurice stated. “So, Ekblad had a damaged foot, had popped his shoulder out twice, and had strained or torn an indirect. And I feel he did three of these within the Boston sequence (within the first spherical). How a lot enjoyable was that six weeks for him? Bennett broke his foot and did not inform anybody. If you happen to do not inform the coach, he does not know that shot block harm after which on the finish of the season, he stated, ‘Yeah, you in all probability ought to’ve X-rayed my foot.’
“We had an entire bunch of these. So, we’re fortunate in that. And that is the concern of all of this for the Oilers and for us. It adjustments on a success.”
NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Invoice Worth contributed to this report
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