(Edmonton) Aleksander Barkov has been given the green light to play in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final series.
The Florida Panthers captain was a questionable case Thursday morning after taking a forearm hit to the jaw from Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl midway through the third period of Monday night’s game, which ended in a 4-1 victory for the Floridians.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice added that forward Vladimir Tarasenko (undetermined injury) will also be in uniform.
Barkov, the Selke Trophy winner as the NHL’s most valuable defensive forward this season, practiced Wednesday before the team flew to the Alberta capital.
For their part, the Oilers have preserved the mystery surrounding their squad heading into a crucial match at Rogers Place, with the Panthers leading 2-0. The status of defender Darnell Nurse (possible hip injury) and attacker Evander Kane (sports hernia) is still unknown. Veteran Corey Perry is also expected to play, after being scratched from the starting lineup in Game 2 in Florida.
