Paul Maurice has some news for the Florida Panthers today, and it’s not what the fans want to hear. Aleksander Barkov will miss at least the weekend’s games with an upper-body injury. He’s currently listed as day-to-day. The Panthers are firmly on their Montreal to Windsor corridor trip. Montreal twice, Toronto, Ottawa (tomorrow), and Detroit (Sunday). Four games in a row on the road, and they finish with Toronto, Detroit, and Buffalo at home. Winning the division won’t come easy.
Barkov (upper body) is day to day and out for this weekend, per Maurice.
Bobrovsky in net vs. Ottawa.
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 4, 2025
The Florida Panthers Will Be Without Aleksander Barkov With Injury
Barkov is the engine that drives any Florida Panther playoff performance expectations. Some may argue from his playoff performance and overpowering the Connor McDavid led Edmonton Oilers to capture the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup championship, he was the best player on the planet for a time. Furthermore, the two-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner, Barkov has 19 goals and 48 assists for 67 points through 64 games played. He is a big part of their fight for Atlantic Division supremacy. Teams will be able to attack differently with an absent Aleksander Barkov from the Cats lineup due to injury.
What’s the Story Behind the Story in South Florida
The Panthers are still without Matthew Tkachuk. That’s on top of being without defenceman Aaron Ekblad. None of this is helping the Panthers battle through the Atlantic Division. Moreover, being without three superstar-type players hurts the top end.
The Ottawa Senators are going to be a tough opponent. The Sens are battling in the Eastern Conference wild card race, and will be hungry. Sergei Bobrovsky will have to be sharp to keep their scorers in check. Being without Aleksander Barkov due to injury will be very difficult for the Panthers. It will be near impossible without a steady goaltender. Let’s just see how the weekend back-to-back goes for them.
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro – Imagn Images
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