Canada Sport News

Barkov sidelined due to high hit from Draisaitl; Maurice expresses frustration
  • 2024 Stanley Cup Final - Oilers vs. Panthers, news
    •

    Barkov sidelined due to high hit from Draisaitl; Maurice expresses frustration

    Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice clearly wasn’t happy about Leon Draisaitl’s hit that took out his captain in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday.

    Aleksander Barkov left the game after taking a hit from Leon Draisaitl along the boards in the Panthers’ end with 9:28 remaining in the final frame, immediately going down to the ice before being helped to the locker room by training staff. He didn’t return.

    Asked how he felt about the hit after a 4-1 win, Maurice was short and to the point.

    “This isn’t the Oprah Winfrey Show. My feelings don’t matter,” he said.

    Maurice also said he had no update on Barkov.

    Asked if he expected the league to take another look at the hit and consider supplemental discipline for Draisaitl, Maurice said: “The league looks at everything.”

    Draisaitl appeared to catch Barkov up high with an elbow and was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.

    Barkov didn’t return to the game. He ended up with 17:47 of ice time and registered two shots and one block before exiting.

    2024 Stanley Cup Final: Oilers vs. Panthers


    Keep up with the latest news and analysis from the Stanley Cup Final as the Edmonton Oilers face the Florida Panthers and look to end Canada’s championship drought. All games can be watched on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

    Full coverage

    However, the Panthers did score on the ensuing power play, when Evan Rodrigues buried his second goal of the game, giving Florida a 3-1 lead.

    The 28-year-old Barkov had 80 points in 73 regular-season games for Florida this year. He has added 19 points and six goals through 19 post-season games.

    More from Sportsnet
    Panthers beat Oilers, take 2-0 lead in Stanley Cup Final


    Oilers’ streak of 34 straight penalty kills snapped by Panthers’ Rodrigues

    Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov has been sidelined with an injury after a high hit from Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl during a recent game. The hit occurred in the third period of the game, causing Barkov to leave the ice and not return.

    The hit has sparked controversy and debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the legality and intent of Draisaitl’s actions. Some have argued that the hit was a dangerous and unnecessary play, while others have defended Draisaitl, claiming it was a clean hit within the rules of the game.

    Regardless of the debate surrounding the hit, one thing is clear: Barkov’s absence from the Panthers lineup is a significant loss for the team. As one of their top players and leaders, Barkov’s presence on the ice is crucial to the team’s success.

    In a post-game press conference, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice expressed frustration over the hit and its impact on his team. He emphasized the importance of player safety and called for stricter enforcement of rules to protect players from dangerous hits.

    Maurice also expressed concern for Barkov’s well-being and wished him a speedy recovery. He acknowledged that losing a player of Barkov’s caliber is a blow to the team, but remained optimistic about the Panthers’ ability to overcome adversity and continue to compete at a high level.

    As Barkov recovers from his injury, the Panthers will need to rely on their depth and resilience to fill the void left by their captain. The team will also be looking to address any issues related to player safety and ensure that incidents like this do not happen again in the future.

    Overall, the hit on Barkov and Maurice’s frustration highlight the physical and emotional toll that hockey can take on players and coaches. It serves as a reminder of the importance of player safety and the need for continued efforts to protect athletes from unnecessary risks on the ice.