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The defending champion Florida Panthers have a 2-0 lead in their first-round series, but it comes with a cost.
Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was knocked out of Thursday's game when he was hit hard by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel midway through the third period. He went to the dressing room and didn't return.
Barkov wasn't near the puck so Hagel was called for interference. He received five minutes, which was upheld on review, though not a game misconduct. The Lightning killed the penalty but it hurt them because they were trying to tie the game.
Instead, they lost 2-0 on a Nate Schmidt first-period goal and a Sam Bennett empty netter. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves. Florida has won both games on the road.
Coach Paul Maurice had no update on Barkov after the game, per reporters.
Barkov, who had two assists in the series opener, is one of the Panthers' top scorers. He also has won the Selke Trophy twice as the NHL's top defensive forward.
The Panthers next play Saturday at home in Game 3. They'll get back defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has finished serving a 20-game PED suspension.
Either the Panthers or the Lightning has reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last five playoffs.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aleksander Barkov injury update: Panthers star leaves game after hit
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Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was knocked out of Thursday's game when he was hit hard by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel midway through the third period. He went to the dressing room and didn't return.
Barkov wasn't near the puck so Hagel was called for interference. He received five minutes, which was upheld on review, though not a game misconduct. The Lightning killed the penalty but it hurt them because they were trying to tie the game.
Instead, they lost 2-0 on a Nate Schmidt first-period goal and a Sam Bennett empty netter. Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves. Florida has won both games on the road.
Coach Paul Maurice had no update on Barkov after the game, per reporters.
Barkov, who had two assists in the series opener, is one of the Panthers' top scorers. He also has won the Selke Trophy twice as the NHL's top defensive forward.
The Panthers next play Saturday at home in Game 3. They'll get back defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who has finished serving a 20-game PED suspension.
Either the Panthers or the Lightning has reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last five playoffs.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aleksander Barkov injury update: Panthers star leaves game after hit
Continue reading...
