LOS ANGELES - Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov will miss 6-8 weeks with a left knee injury but will not need surgery, coach Paul Maurice announced Tuesday morning at the team’s skate in Los Angeles, offering relief to a franchise still haunted by the center’s reconstructive knee surgery that wiped out all of last season.
Barkov was hurt last Thursday night when his left leg buckled as he worked for the puck in the corner against the San Jose Sharks. Maurice had urged patience Monday while Barkov underwent a battery of tests with Florida’s medical staff.
“He’s scheduled to be out 6-8 weeks, non-surgical rehab,” Maurice said. “That’s our best window. Could be a little less, could be a little more, but we think 6-8 is the right rehab time.”
The injury is a blow to the defending champions but far less severe than what Barkov endured previously. He missed the entirety of last season after needing reconstructive surgery on his other knee, an injury that occurred on his first day of training camp, according to Florida Hockey Now.
The Panthers play Game 4 of their season-opening road trip Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto Arena, with puck drop set for 10 p.m. on ESPN. Los Angeles leads the all-time regular season series 27-17-1 with three ties. Florida defeated the Kings 2-0 in their most recent meeting last season.
The Panthers return home for their home opener against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at 6 p.m.