Barkov questionable for Panthers for Sport 3 of Stanley Cup Last – NHL.com

Heart was injured following excessive hit by Draisaitl in third interval of Sport 2 win in opposition to Oilers
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov is feeling higher, and it is doable he might play for the Florida Panthers in Sport 3 of the Stanley Cup Last in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, CBC, TVAS, SN).
The Panthers’ high middle and captain did not play the ultimate 9:28 of their 4-1 win in Sport 2 at Amerant Financial institution Area 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 as we speak, he wasn’t worse, in order that’s a extremely good factor, and the true evaluation might be tomorrow,” Florida coach Paul Maurice mentioned 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 staff to Edmonton on Wednesday however sounded optimistic about his availability going ahead within the best-of-7 collection, which the Panthers lead 2-0 after successful the primary two video games at house.
“I do not know if I can do all of the hypotheticals for you,” Maurice mentioned. “He left. We had some issues that wanted to get checked out as we speak that acquired checked out, so there’s nothing sinister there. So, he type of handed that. He felt higher as we speak, feels good.
“However you have to give it then one other 24 hours to ensure that 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 constructive as effectively after he mentioned he was, “grumpy,” after the sport Monday. Nevertheless, he nonetheless did not need to talk about Draisaitl’s hit on Barkov.
“It is completed,” Maurice mentioned. “The refs referred to as a penalty on the ice. The League seems at nearly each single hit. They will make their choice after which we aren’t coping with that anymore as we speak. A part of that’s simply the psychological self-discipline to depart the sport the place it’s whatever the outcome.”
Draisaitl mentioned 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 mentioned after Sport 2. “I do not know, perhaps I acquired him slightly excessive, however actually not any intent to injure or something like that.”
Aleksander Barkov leaves Sport 2 with an damage
Barkov, who received the Selke Trophy as the perfect defensive ahead within the NHL for the second time this season, has been a key a part of shutting down Oilers celebrity forwards Connor McDavid and Draisaitl by two video games. McDavid had one help and three photographs on objective in Sport 2, and Draisaitl was held with no level on two photographs. Earlier than the Oilers misplaced 3-0 in Sport 1 on Saturday, McDavid (31 factors; 5 targets, 26 assists) and Draisaitl (28 factors; 10 targets, 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 targets, 22 assists) — have mixed for simply two assists within the Last. Bouchard additionally had an help Monday.
Barkov had two photographs on objective in 17:47 of ice time in Sport 2 after having two assists in 21:06 of ice time in Sport 1. The 28-year-old is tied with Matthew Tkachuk for the Panthers lead with 19 factors (six targets, 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 mentioned after Sport 2. “We by no means need to miss him, however we hope it is going to be OK. We hope he will be again. We love him and hope he is coming again even stronger.”
The Panthers have some expertise enjoying with out Barkov from when he missed eight video games over a number of stints through the common season due to a lower-body damage and one recreation due to an sickness. Florida additionally performed 5 video games with out second-line middle Sam Bennett when he was out with an upper-body damage earlier within the playoffs.
In every case, Lundell moved up from the third line to middle one of many high two strains.
“So, we have completed it sufficient that everyone in case you walked in there and say, ‘If ‘Barky’ would not play, what are the strains?’ the fellows would all know most likely what the strains are,” Maurice mentioned.
The Panthers had been comparatively wholesome earlier than Sport 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 tip of the interval, and when requested Tuesday if they’re OK, Maurice mentioned, “We’re good.”
Florida has been far more healthy in these playoffs than when it reached the Cup Last final season and misplaced to the Vegas Golden Knights in 5 video games. Probably 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 demise,” Maurice mentioned. “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 collection (within the first spherical). How a lot enjoyable was that six weeks for him? Bennett broke his foot and did not inform anybody. Should you do not inform the coach, he would not know that shot block harm after which on the finish of the season, he mentioned, ‘Yeah, you most likely ought to’ve X-rayed my foot.’
“We had a complete bunch of these. So, we’re fortunate in that. And that is the worry of all of this for the Oilers and for us. It modifications on a success.”
NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Invoice Value contributed to this report
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