The Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final on Monday night before defeating the Oilers 4-1 in Game 2.
But it may have come at the expense of their captain.
Aleksander Barkov was ejected during the third period of Monday night’s game in Sunrise, Fla. He was ejected early after taking a high hit from Oilers star Leon Draisaitl.
Barkov has been a key part of Florida’s success this year. The center is up for the 2024 Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward and will be tasked with containing opposing top teams. In the Stanley Cup Finals so far, Barkov and the Panthers have held Connor McDavid to just one assist. In 19 playoff games, Barkov has six goals and 19 points.
Florida leads the series 2-0 and the next two games will be played in Edmonton, with Game 3 scheduled for Thursday.
More: Why are Panthers fans throwing rats onto the ice?
Aleksandr Barkov’s injury status
In Game 2 between the Panthers and Oilers, Barkov was ejected after receiving a high hit from Draiseitel with 9:28 left in the third period.
With the Panthers captain keeping the puck along the boards, the Oilers star lunged for contact, but instead of putting his shoulder up to check, Draisaitl leapt high toward Barkov’s head and connected with his elbow on Barkov’s jaw.
Leon Draisaitl received a minor penalty for rough play for this hit on Aleksandr Barkov. pic.twitter.com/fBP73jsk7S
— ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2024
Aleksandr Barkov was hit with an elbow to the jaw by Leon Draisaitl.#hunttime | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/Y5i1d4PTz9
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) June 11, 2024
Barkov remained on the ice and was treated by trainers before eventually being helped off the ice before falling into the tunnel.
The officials reviewed the play and assessed a two-minute minor penalty on Draisaitl for rough play. On the ensuing power play, Evan Rodriguez scored his second goal of the game to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead.
Barkov did not return to the game. The exact nature of his injury is unclear at this time, although it’s possible he may have suffered a concussion given where Draiseitel hit him.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had nothing to say about Barkov after the game, but when asked about the hit on Draisaitl, Maurice gave his typical Maurice response, albeit in a tough tone.
“This is not the Oprah Winfrey Show,” Morris said. “My feelings are not relevant.”
Paul Maurice on Draiseitel’s criticism of Barkoff: “This is not the Oprah Winfrey show. My feelings are irrelevant”
Barkov did not return after the hit.
“I think there was 9 minutes, 28 seconds left and the score was 2-1. I wasn’t holding him back,” Maurice said.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 11, 2024
Maurice did not say explicitly that Barkov would be unable to return due to illness, but stressed that he was in no position to stop him if he was able to play.
“I think it was 9:28 left and the game was 2-1,” Maurice said. “I didn’t hold him back.”
How long will Aleksander Barkov miss?
Per Panthers’ Jameson Olive, Maurice said Tuesday that Barkov was “not bad. He was really good,” and that if Barkov continues to show progress, the Panthers will be “in good shape.”
“The real evaluation is tomorrow,” Maurice said Tuesday. “They checked a few things today that needed to be checked,” Maurice said. “Nothing bad. He managed to clear it. He’s feeling better today. Feeling good. But we need to wait another 24 hours to make sure he’s OK.”
Barkov skated with the Panthers on Wednesday, and Maurice indicated things are going well for the 28-year-old.
“He looked good today. As far as I know, he completed his skate today,” Maurice said of Barkov, per Panthers’ Jameson Olive. “He’ll be examined afterwards. We’ll get him on the plane, get him off, get him on the ice and see how he is tomorrow. He looked good today.”
Barkov was on the Panthers’ top unit with regular linemates Evan Rodriguez and Sam Reinhart at Florida practice, a sign he’s progressing in a positive direction and could have a chance to play in Game 3.
Barkov rejoined the morning skate on Thursday, and coach Paul Maurice announced afterward that the center would be in the lineup for Game 3.
What is Aleksandr Barkov’s injury?
The exact nature of Barkov’s injuries is unclear.
Considering he was punched in the jaw by Draiseitel, it’s very likely he suffered a broken jaw, a concussion or some other head injury.
How does the NHL’s concussion protocol work?
The NHL has implemented rules to minimize head injuries within the league, including removing players from games if they are deemed to have a possible concussion.
Part III of the NHL’s concussion protocol includes “mandatory removal of the player as soon as possible if a concussion is identified and an acute evaluation is conducted.”
We explain what concussion monitors are looking for and what consequences could result in a player being ejected.
Lying motionless on the ice Impaired coordination/balance Blank expression Slow to get up Strike to the head or upper body After the head makes contact with the ice After a player is hit in the head
If the spotter identifies any of the above possibilities, an evaluation will be performed by the club’s physician and/or athletic trainer.
A concussion is diagnosed when a club doctor confirms that a player has experienced loss of consciousness or ataxia due to a direct or indirect hit to the head. If it is determined that the suspected loss of consciousness or ataxia was not due to a direct or indirect hit to the head, the reasons for this determination will be recorded in the SCAT5 app.
During this evaluation, the player will either be diagnosed with a concussion or clear the protocol and be able to return to play.