Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday that the team would make a final decision about Barkov before Game 3 on Thursday night.
“Got through, skated, felt better today,” Maurice said. “Got through the skate today, as far as I know — I haven’t checked after. Then we’ll get him on a plane, get him off a plane, get him on the ice and make a decision where he’s at tomorrow. But he looked good today.”
Maurice was much more jovial at his Tuesday and Wednesday news conferences than he was at his postgame news conference on Monday.
“It’s the driver of my mood, right?” Maurice said. “You go through that — fear maybe is the right word. Nobody wants to lose their captain. You don’t know if you have or not for a block of time, then you find out there’s a good chance you’re not going to. Then you’re in a much better mood.”
Barkov left Game 2 after a hit to the head by Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, who has been held without a point so far this series. The Oilers star forward received a two-minute penalty for roughing but has not received any additional punishment from the NHL.
“It’s just a hit,” Draisaitl said after the game. “I don’t think there’s anything dirty about it.”
Added Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch after Game 2: “Hands got up a little bit high. He’s trying to knock him off the puck, and that led to the penalty.”
Maurice said Tuesday that Barkov had not gotten worse and showed progress, but the “real assessment” would come Wednesday.
Barkov, the Selke Trophy winner as the league’s top defensive forward, played in 73 games this season, scoring 23 goals and notching 57 assists. In the playoffs, he has six goals and 13 assists.
“It’s great,” Panthers forward Kyle Okposo said. “He’s a huge part of our team and a huge piece of our game.”
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) takes to the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice leads his team on the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) talks with center Aleksander Barkov (16) during practice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) takes to the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) takes to the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) takes to the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) on the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura (28) and defenseman Brandon Montour (62) on the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice leads his team on the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) on the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues (17) on the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers on the practice ice at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice talks to the media at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers right wing Kyle Okposo (8) talks to the media at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida Panthers center Kevin Stenlund (82) talks to the media at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, June 12, 2024. The Panthers are preparing for Game 3 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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