It’s official: the captain of the Florida Panthers will take the field against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday. The news was verified by Panthers coach Paul Maurice following the team’s morning skate at Rogers Place.
Barkov will take over as Florida’s starting center, as per usual. During the morning skate, he ran on his wings alongside Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues.
After Barkov missed the final 9:38 of Florida’s 4-1 victory in Game 2 on Monday, which gave the team a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-7 Stanley Cup Final due to an elbow to the face from Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl in the Panthers’ defensive zone, the decision ends a nerve-wracking sixty-plus hours for the Panthers.
Barkov stumbled, attempted to stand up on his own, fell back onto the ice, and needed assistance getting to the dressing room.
The Panthers were only ahead by one goal at the time, and Paul Maurice, the team’s coach, stated he did not bench Barkov out of prudence.
“There is 9:28 remaining in a 2-1 match. Then, in a quiet, firm voice, Maurice declared, “I’m not holding him” if he was able to play.
A day later, things were looking up, with Maurice stating on Tuesday that Barkov “wasn’t worse” and that if he kept improving, they “should be in good shape.” On Wednesday, Barkov participated fully in practice before to the team’s departure for Edmonton.
Rather of deciding on Barkov’s playing status right then, Maurice preferred to wait and see how the center felt after his morning skate. As expected, Barkov is ready to go.
“It drives my mood, isn’t that right?” Before the club departed for Edmonton on Wednesday, Maurice stated following practice. Yes, you do experience fear—perhaps that’s the best term. Everyone want to keep their captain. And for a while, you’re not sure if you’ve lost him. After learning that you might not have, you feel lot better.
As the greatest two-way forward in the NHL, Barkov earned his second career Selke Trophy this season. He is currently tied for the team lead with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in the postseason and has been a key component in containing the top players on the other team. With Barkov in the lineup during 5-on-5 play, the Panthers have surrendered only eight goals.
The fact that he is feeling better is undoubtedly a good thing, according to Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen. “Just excited to watch him in the upcoming game.” Draisaitl earned a two-minute minor penalty for the hit, which was the only punishment he received for it. This penalty resulted in a power play goal by Evan Rodrigues, extending Florida’s lead to 3-1.
Draisaitl described the play as “just a hit” following the game.
At the time, Draisaitl stated, “I don’t think there’s anything dirty about it.” “Perhaps I gave him a slight high.”
But definitely not with the intention of hurting someone or anything similar. In the pregame on Thursday, he reiterated that claim.
“Attended to it,” Draisaitl stated. “First of all, I believe it’s common knowledge that I don’t play with the intention of hurting somebody. I’ve never done that before. I don’t like that aspect of the game at all, hurting other players or anything like. I caught him in a bad moment.
I’ll just leave it at that, then. I want to be clear that I don’t play hockey with the intention of hurting anybody.
▪ Panthers forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who did not practice Wednesday while dealing with what Maurice called a “minor thing,” will also play in Game 3.
▪ The Oilers are expected to make a few lineup changes, but coach Kris Knoblauch would not divulge specifics.
“You’re going to have to wait and find out,” Knoblauch said Thursday morning.
For the Oilers’ vantage point ahead of Game 3, here are some stories courtesy of the Edmonton Journal…
▪ Edmonton Oilers need to unleash biggest weapon; teammates feel Nurse’s pain ▪ 5 THINGS: How will the Edmonton Oilers turn this Stanley Cup Final around?
▪ ‘We’ve seen a lot worse’: Two-nothing is nothing, say Edmonton Oilers
