Sasha Barkov Leaves Florida Panthers Game in 1st Period

SUNRISE — Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov left in the first period of Game 3 against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes and did not return for the start of the season.

Barkov, who has two goals in the first two games of the series, left the game following a hit from Carolina’s Jack Drury with 7:04 remaining in the first.

He went to the room after being hit up against the wall, replays showing he smashed his right leg up.

Barkov was walking very gingerly on the leg.

Midway through the second period, the Panthers said Barkov was questionable to return with a lower body injury.

Barkov did not return.

Florida moved Eetu Luostarinen into Barkov’s spot.

Following the game, coach Paul Maurice had no update on Barkov’s status.

”He was at a Bar Mitzvah,’’ Maurice joked. “His neighbor had a Bar Mitzvah, and he didn’t want to disappoint the kids.”

FLORIDA PANTHERS ON DECK

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

CAROLINA HURRICANES (MET1) AT PANTHERS (WC2) 

GAME 4

• When: Wednesdau, 8 p.m.
• Where: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise
• TV: TNT
  
• Radio: WQAM 560-AM, WPOW 95.6 FM2, WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932
• Series Schedule — Game 1: Florida 3, @Carolina 2; Game 2: Florida 2, @Carolina 1 (OT); Game 3: Monday @ Florida; Game 4: Wednesday at Florida, 8 (TNT); Game 5*: Friday at Carolina, 8 (TNT); Game 6*: Sunday, May 28 at Florida, 8 (TNT); Game 7*: Tuesday, May 30 at Carolina, 8 (TNT). *If Necessary
• Season Series: (Carolina won 2-1): @Florida 3, Carolina 0 (Nov.9);@Carolina 4, Florida 0 (Dec. 30); Carolina 6, @Florida 4 (April 13)
• All-Time Regular Season Series: Carolina/Hartford leads 71-46-10, 11 ties
• Postseason History: First Meeting
• How They Got Here — Carolina: d. New York Islanders in 6; d. New Jersey Devils in 5. Florida: d. Boston Bruins in 7; d. Toronto Maple Leafs in 5.