Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov left Thursday's game against the San Jose Sharks due to an apparent lower-body injury.
Barkov fell awkwardly on his left leg during the second period and immediately went to the locker room.
Aleksander Barkov immediately leaves the ice in pain after an awkward fall pic.twitter.com/Anli2nv5LQ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 2, 2026
He didn't return for the third period or in overtime.
Barkov missed all of last season after sustaining a torn ACL and MCL in his right leg during training camp.
Head coach Paul Maurice said postgame that Barkov's injury is unrelated to last year's and that the team will know more Friday afternoon.
The Sharks wound up winning 4-3 in OT. The Panthers scored two goals in a 17-second span during the third frame to tie it up.
The Panthers season is set to resume Sunday with a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.
