Aleksander Barkov Will Take Warmups for Game 3 vs Lightning
SUNRISE, Fla. — Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is a game-time decision for Saturday’s Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, according to Panthers head coach Paul Maurice.
Barkov will have to get through warmups before a decision is made, though it sounds like the team is optimistic he’ll play.
“He’s going to take warmups,”Maurice said. “If he feels good — if we think he’s good. He does have to get through it, push his heart rate up… we think he’s good.”
In the third period of Game 2 on Thursday, Barkov left the game after Lightning forward Brandon Hagel laid a late, high hit on him away from the puck.
Hagel was issued a one-game suspension for the hit and will miss Game 3.
Aside from Barkov status, the Panthers will only be making one lineup change as defenseman Aaron Ekblad will be returning to the lineup following a 20-game suspension.
Uvis Balinskis will be the defenseman who comes out for Ekblad.
After winning the first two games of the series on the road in Tampa, the Panthers will look to take a 3-0 series in their home playoff opener.
Puck drop for Game 3 is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.
PANTHERS’ PROJECTED LINES
VERHAEGHE-BARKOV*-REINHART
SAMOSKEVICH-BENNETT-TKACHUK
LUOSTARINEN-LUNDELL-MARCHAND
BOQVIST-STURM-RODRIGUES
FORSLING-EKBLAD
MIKKOLA-JONES
KULIKOV-SCHMIDT
BOBROVSKY
VANECEK
*Game-Time decision
Fingers crossed that Barkov can play tonight! It’s tough to see a player of his caliber sidelined, especially during the playoffs. That hit in Game 2 looked pretty rough. Hopefully, he can get through warmups and feel confident enough to get back out there. The Panthers definitely need him in the lineup if they want to take a commanding lead in the series. It’s amazing how physical these games get, almost like watching a wild stampede out there. Makes me wonder if someone will eventually develop a crazy cattle 3d game based on NHL playoff hockey! Get well soon, Barkov!