Stunning update on Aleksander Barkov’s condition following brutal crash in last night’s game

The Florida Panthers ended up losing more than just the game in Ottawa last night, when falling 3-1 to the Senators. Captain Aleksander Barkov left the contest with 1:10 remaining after crashing into the end boards and getting injured. As Barkov was trying to prevent an empty-net goal, he gave chase to Sens’ Tim Stutzle and both players got tangled up. Barkov came crashing into the boards at full speed, feet first and was visibly in pain. When he made it to his feet, he slowly skated to the team’s dressing room with the help from two teammates.

After the game, head coach Paul Maurice explained that his captain was going to get looked at on Friday as the Panthers are set to fly to Buffalo and will play the Sabres on Saturday.

However, some early stunning news came on the 32 Thoughts podcast when Kyle Bukauskas revealed that he was told that Aleksander Barkov was seen walking out of the arena without any assistance.

This is not an official update from the Panthers, as it is likely that we won’t get a formal update on Barkov until after the team’s morning skate in Buffalo tomorrow.

However, you have to say that this does sound like better news when everyone expected the worst for the Panthers’ leader.

Later on Friday, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that Barkov did not " sustained a significant injury, but what’s being considered a bad sprain. He is likely out week-to-week."