Aleksander Barkov’s Injury Looms Over Loss

The Florida Panthers 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators was overshadowed by Aleksander Barkov’s injury late in the game. 

Barkov’s Injury

With an empty net late in the game, Tim Stutzle charged down the ice to try adding to Ottawa’s 2-1 lead. Barkov chased him down, got tangled with him, and went feet-first into the boards. The puck went in the net, but all eyes were on Barkov, who was on all fours behind the net in immense pain. He was helped off the ice with the help of Uvis Balinskis and Evan Rodrigues,, but he was barely able to put pressure on his foot. 

After the game, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Barkov would get looked at that night, and “probably tomorrow as well.”

New Power Play Slow Out Of The Gate

The Panthers have had a revolving door at the top of both of their power play units to begin the season. It may be a reason why, understandably, they’ve struggled to get that unit started up. 

Adam Boqvist, signed this summer by Florida, was set to be the power play quarterback on the first unit. But when he was injured by an errant puck to the face on opening night Tuesday, Aaron Ekblad took his spot. Gustav Forsling then took Ekblad’s spot on the second power play unit.

On Thursday, the Panthers put Uvis Balinskis on the top unit, with Ekblad on the second unit. Nate Schmidt slotted into the lineup with Boqvist out and played on the second unit.

The Panthers went 0-for-2 on the power play Thursday, and have now started the year 0-for-8.

They did, however, look solid in their chances against Ottawa, moving the puck well and getting a couple of high-danger scoring chances.

Panthers Can’t Get Past Ullmark

Goals were at a premium Thursday. After the Senators put up two in the first period, the Panthers struggled against new Ottawa goaltender in Linus Ullmark. The 31-year-old is no stranger to the Panthers, having gone 12-3-1 with a 2.47 GAA in the regular season against Florida in his career.

Ullmark stopped 30 of 31 shots he faced, including five high-danger chances per Natural Stat Trick. The lone goal he allowed was a Gustav Forsling slap shot from the blue line in the second period.

Of course, the Senators defense helped him a bunch. They blocked 30 shots, which is a league-high mark in this very young season.