Florida Panthers lack pushback in losing to Buffalo in 1st game without captain Aleksander Barkov
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is helped off the ice by teammates after crashing into the boards with Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle, not shown, during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press via AP)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Justin Tang]
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice isn’t ready to jump to conclusions following one loss on how his defending Stanley Cup champions will hold up with captain Aleksander Barkov expected to miss between two and three weeks with a lower body injury. But the coach wasn’t happy with the lack of pushback the Panthers showed in a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Barkov was hurt in a the final minutes of a 3-1 loss at Ottawa on Thursday. And the Panthers were also without Matthew Tkachuk, who did not play due to an illness.
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Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is unable to prevent Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) from scoring on the empty net during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press via AP)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Justin Tang
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power (25) is brought down by Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5)during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jeffrey T. Barnes