Elliotte Friedman provides crucial update on Aleksander Barkov injury
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers are waiting on news that could shape their entire season. Captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to learn the results of his injury evaluation sometime this afternoon, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has offered his early read on the situation.
Barkov left Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks in the second period after his left knee appeared to buckle during a board battle.
He went straight to the dressing room with a noticeable limp and threw his gloves down in frustration on the way. It was only his second game back this season.
Friedman Points to the Reaction
Friedman found some comfort in the details but was careful not to wave off the scare.
Barkov is not back for the third...not the same leg he injured last year...but you're always concerned when a player reacts so disgustedly.
That concern is easy to understand. Barkov is the steady leader of this group, so a gloves-down exit stands out.
A reaction like that does not confirm a diagnosis, but it explains why Panthers fans are bracing for the worst.
Why the Leg Matters
The encouraging part is the location. Barkov missed all of last season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee on the first day of training camp, and Florida missed the playoffs without him.
This time, the trouble appears to involve his left leg, so it would not be a setback to that surgically repaired knee.
Still, the timing is cruel. Barkov's return was a major reason many expected the Panthers to climb back to the top of the Atlantic Division.
Florida sits at 1-0-1, and Eetu Luostarinen's two goals and one from Matthew Tkachuk were not enough against San Jose.
Head coach Paul Maurice had no immediate update after the game and said further evaluation would come Friday.
Until the results arrive this afternoon, Florida can only wait. Whether this is a short absence or a long-term blow will define the early stretch of the season for a team that cannot afford another year without its captain.
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