Report: Injury to Sasha Barkov may not be as bad as it looked

Just two games into the new NHL season, the Florida Panthers are managing an injury to their top line center.

Panthers captain Sasha Barkov suffered an apparent lower-body injury during Thursday’s loss to the Ottawa Senators.

In the game’s final moments, Barkov went skates-first into the back boards while trying to defend against an empty-net goal by Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle.

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Barkov needed help off the ice and did not appear able to put any weight on his right leg.

Afterwards, all Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice would say was that Barkov was going to be evaluated that night and probably again the following day.

On Friday, with Florida traveling to Buffalo for their matchup with the Sabres on Saturday night, reports began to surface regarding Barkov’s injury.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Barkov’s injury is believed to be a bad sprain.

While that kind of an injury could keep Barkov out for multiple weeks, it’s a far better diagnosis than any kind of tear or fracture.

Something that severe which would likely keep Barkov out for months instead of weeks, but if the report is accurate, it appears he may have dodged any long-term bullets.

Maurice is expected to address the media on Saturday morning when Florida holds a morning skate at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

That’s when the next official update on Barkov should come.

Stay tuned.

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