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Loss to Senators Least of Panthers Worries After Barkov Injured

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Barkov injured
Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov slides to try and prevent Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle from scoring on the empty net during the third period Thursday night. Barkov slid hard into the boards and had to be helped off the ice. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press via AP)

The Florida Panthers had their minds on other matters following their 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, with captain Sasha Barkov having to be helped off the ice after being injured in the game’s final minutes. Fans closely following the NHL will be eager for updates on Barkov’s status as the season progresses



Barkov was hurt trying to keep a puck out of an empty net, sliding in the way of Tim Stutzle and ending up going full-speed into the boards.

After a few moments down on the ice, Barkov was helped to the training room with the aid of teammates Evan Rodrigues and Uvis Balinskis.

Barkov was favoring his right leg, flexing his knee a few times as he was moving toward the bench.

“First, I want to say, I hope he’s not hurt,” Stutzle said per NHL.com. “That was just an unfortunate play, I guess. I just saw he lost a stick, so I saw an opportunity there, and the game was really tight and I felt like they were pushing.”

Coach Paul Maurice did not have much of an update on Barkov’s injury afterward — the play happened with 1:10 remaining — saying Barkov was being medically evaluated.

“He’s going to looked at here tonight, and probably tomorrow as well,’’ Maurice said.

Both Balinskis and Anton Lundell were asked about Barkov’s injury and did not have much information, either.

“I don’t really know what happened yet,’’ Lundell said. “Just saw him go down, we don’t want to see that. Can’t say much right now, but hopefully he is OK and it isn’t anything bigger.”

When it came to the game, Florida played pretty well, the result notwithstanding.

Barkov, especially.

After going down 2-0 in the first half of the opening period, the Panthers controlled the pace of play and dominated puck possession.

The only problem? Goalie Linus Ullmark.

The former Boston netminder stood on his head making 30 saves. Florida’s lone goal came on a point shot from Gus Forsling at 15:48 of the second.

Ullmark made 30 saves including 22 in the final two periods.

“We played better as the game went along,’’ Lundell said, “we just couldn’t get the second goal.’’

Ullmark has now won 10 of his past 11 regular-season games against the Panthers.

The 2022-23 Vezina Trophy winner is 13-3-1 against Florida with Buffalo, Boston, and now, the Senators.

“There’s a reason why they’ve been so successful: They come in waves and keep grinding,” Ullmark said. “They don’t get frustrated, even if they’re down. So, it’s a special win, definitely.”

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— The Panthers took 85 shot attempts against the Senators, with Ottawa blocking 30 shots. Florida blocked nine with Ottawa taking 49 shot attempts.

— With Adam Boqvist out after being struck in the face with an errant clearing pass on Tuesday, Balinskis ran the top power-play unit.

Nate Schmidt made his Florida debut and was up top on the second power-play unit.

— Maurice changed his top two lines in the second period, swapping out Carter Verhaeghe and Rodrigues on the left side.

— The Panthers are off to Buffalo where they, unlike the Dolphins, must enjoy the Western New York hospitality.

Florida has won its past five games and eight of the past 11 at KeyBank Center.

ON DECK: GAME 3
FLORIDA PANTHERS AT BUFFALO SABRES

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