Barkov Injured After Hit, Panthers Take 2-0 Series Lead Against Lightning
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov sustained an injury in the third period of Thursday’s Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning after a hit by forward Brandon Hagel. The Panthers won the game 2-0, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Hagel’s Major Penalty Leads too Barkov’s Exit
The incident occurred with 9:51 remaining in the third period when Hagel’s hit on Barkov resulted in a major penalty. Barkov remained down on the ice and was attended to by the team’s medical staff before leaving the game.
Maurice Mum on Injury Severity
Panthers coach Paul Maurice did not provide specifics on the nature or severity of Barkov’s injury promptly following the game but indicated that an update would be provided after Friday afternoon’s practice in Fort lauderdale.
Teammates Emphasize Barkov’s importance
“He’s irreplaceable,” defenseman Seth Jones said of Barkov.”Face-offs, power play, penalty kill, 5-on-5, playing against their top lines… One of the best centermen in the League. Obviously, he’s super vital to our team.” Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky echoed the sentiment, stating the team would need to “step up” in his absence, should he be unable to play.
Barkov’s Impact on the Series
Prior to the injury, Barkov played a significant role in the series. In Game 1’s 6-2 victory, he contributed two assists and won 14 of 18 face-offs. In Game 2, he won the face-off that led to Nate Schmidt’s first-period goal, which stood as the game-winner until Sam Bennett’s late empty-netter.
panthers Familiar with Playing Without Barkov
The Panthers have experience playing without their captain.Barkov missed three games in early April due to an upper-body injury described as “not that serious.” He also sat out two of the final three games of the regular season for rest.
Lundell Ready to Step Up if Needed
Forward Anton Lundell, who has previously filled in for Barkov on the top line, acknowledged Barkov’s importance but emphasized the need for the entire team to elevate their play. “You never want to have him out of yoru lineup, but at the same time, everyone needs to step up…[Barkov] has been carrying us the whole season, so we owe him that, to step up and make sure the job is taken care of.”
Looking Ahead to Game 3
The Panthers are scheduled to host Game 3 at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday.
Here are two PAA (People Also Ask) related questions, suitable for the provided content and title:
Barkov Injury: Your Top Questions answered
Following Aleksander Barkov’s injury in Game 2, here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
Q&A
- What happened to Aleksander Barkov?
Barkov was injured in the third period of Game 2 after a hit from Brandon Hagel. Hagel received a major penalty for the hit.
- How serious is Barkov’s injury?
The severity is unknown. Coach Paul Maurice is expected to provide an update after Friday’s practice.
- What did the hit from Hagel look like?
Based on video review, the hit appeared to be a shoulder-to-shoulder hit. Hagel was assessed a major penalty for the hit. You can find video replays on most major sports news outlets.
- What’s Barkov’s importance to the Panthers?
He’s the team captain, a top-line center, and plays a crucial role in all aspects of the game (face-offs, power play, penalty kill, 5-on-5).He is considered irreplaceable by his teammates.
- How did Barkov perform before the injury?
He was instrumental in the series, with two assists in Game 1 and a face-off win leading to the first goal in Game 2.
- Can the Panthers win without Barkov?
Thay have experiance playing without him, as he missed a few games earlier in April. Other players like Anton Lundell will likely step up. The team will need to work together as a unit.
- When is Game 3?
Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena.
Stay tuned for updates on Barkov’s status. The Panthers’ ability to adapt will be key in Game 3 and beyond.
