Panthers' Barkov good to go for Game 3
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is good to go for Thursday's Game 3, head coach Paul Maurice announced, per The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton.
Barkov's status was in doubt after he took a high hit from Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl midway through the third period of the Panthers' 4-1 Game 2 victory Monday.
Aleksander Barkov went to the locker room after taking this high hit from Leon Draisaitl#TimeToHunt | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/63VV17p3fS
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) June 11, 2024
"I think it shows to the character of (Barkov) and how bad he wants it as well to get back," Panthers forward Sam Reinhart said, per team beat reporter Jameson Olive.
Draisaitl received a two-minute penalty for roughing on the play, though he dodged supplemental discipline.
"I think we all know that I'm not a player that plays with an intent to injure anybody by any means," Draisaitl said Thursday, according to Sportsnet. "I have no track record of that. I'm not a player that enjoys that part of the game. ... I caught him in an unfortunate spot."
The reigning Selke Trophy winner, Barkov has been key to the Panthers' Cup pursuit, amassing a team-leading 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 19 contests prior to Thursday's clash.
Maurice added that Vladimir Tarasenko will also play in Game 3. The winger missed Wednesday's practice with what the bench boss deemed "a minor thing," per NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.
The Panthers currently hold a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final as the series shifts to Edmonton.