Paul Maurice Makes Concerning Update on Captain Aleksander Barkov After Injury in Game 2

Game 2 of the Battle of Florida on Thursday night was a brutal one, and while the Florida Panthers came out on top with a 2-0 shutout victory to get them to 2-0 in the series, it wasn't without loss.

During the matchup, captain Aleksander Barkov was taken out with a brutal hit from Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel, who at no point had eyes for the puck and simply looked to take out Barkov, and he did so while being assessed a five-minute major penalty.

Barkov did not return late in the game due to the hit, and after the game, Panthers fans were desperate for an update on their superstar captain, which Paul Maurice gave to them.

When asked about Barkov and having any information, Maurice kept it short and simple, and it should be a response that worries those Panthers fans;

If the team lose their captain for any stretch of time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it would be a brutal loss, as he is one of the best two-way players in the entire NHL, and to go back-to-back, they'll need him healthy.

Unsurprisingly, Florida's Sam Bennett wasn't happy with the play either, and in addressing the hit, he revealed how much their hatred grows for Tampa Bay with every passing matchup.

With Game 3 slated for Sunday night back in Florida, the Panthers will hope to get Barkov back before that game, but if they can clinch a win without him, perhaps they buy themselves time to let him get closer to 100%.

For now though, the signs for Barkov are worrying after this brutal and unnecessary hit, and we will have more when the information becomes available.