Panthers' Barkov in lineup for Game 3 after Hagel hit

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was in the lineup for Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning after departing Game 2 with an undisclosed injury.

Barkov exited Game 2 in the third period after getting labeled by Brandon Hagel, who received a one-game suspension for interference.

Barkov finished second on the Panthers with 71 points in 67 games during the regular season. He's managed three assists through three games in the playoffs but was held off the scoresheet in Florida's 5-1 loss in Game 3.

Game 3 marked the first playoff game at Amerant Bank Arena since the Panthers were victorious in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad also returned to the lineup following his 20-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.