Florida Panthers suffered their first loss of the season against the Ottawa Senators, and it might have come at a high cost. Team captain Aleksander Barkov got injured during the game when he crashed into the end boards while trying to prevent an empty-net goal. This occurred with only 1:10 remaining on the clock.
The incident took place as Barkov was chasing after a loose puck that Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle tapped into the net, securing the Senators’ 3-1 victory. Stutzle and Barkov collided, causing the Florida forward to crash into the boards feet-first at full speed. Barkov was visibly in pain and needed assistance from his teammates Evan Rodrigues and Uvis Balinskis to leave the ice and head to the locker room for evaluation.
The severity and nature of Barkov’s injury are still unknown, but it was evident that he was unable to put weight on his right leg as he left the ice. Panthers coach Paul Maurice mentioned that Barkov would undergo further evaluation that evening and the following day. The team was set to travel to Buffalo for their next game against the Sabres on Saturday.
Barkov, who is 29 years old, is a key player for the Panthers and has been with the team for his entire 12-year career. He made history as the first Finnish-born player to captain a Stanley Cup-winning team when the Panthers clinched the title last season against the Edmonton Oilers. The forward is also the franchise leader in various categories such as goals, assists, points, and game-winning goals.
Despite the setback, the Panthers are gearing up for upcoming games, including a special trip to Barkov’s home country of Finland. They are scheduled to play two games in Tampere against the Dallas Stars on November 1 and 2. This will be a significant moment for Barkov as he returns to Finland as a Stanley Cup champion and a beloved figure in Finnish hockey.
The injury to Barkov is a blow to the Panthers, but the team will need to regroup and adjust in his absence. His leadership, skill, and presence on the ice will be sorely missed, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and fill the void. The Panthers will need to rally together and continue their season with determination and resilience as they push forward without their captain.