Aleksander Barkov being hit in the face by Leon Draisaitl in game two of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.Photo credit: Screenshot

Worrying details about Aleksander Barkov’s potential season-ending injury that occurred last night in game two of the Stanley Cup Finals emerged online.

The Florida Panthers’ captain had to retreat to the locker room during the third period after a dirty hit from Leon Draisaitl. Barkov had the puck, braced himself for a hit, but Draisaitl jumped and extended his elbow to hit Barkov on the jaw.

Draisaitl got a two-minute penalty on the play, and Barkov never returned to the game.

Watch how it went down here:

Now, concerning reports suggest he could miss the rest of the playoffs. They suggest that Barkov may have a broken jaw, and that hockey players can’t really play through such injuries:

“Aleksander Barkov has a broken jaw. There are few injuries to the face that hockey players can’t ‘suck it up’ from. Stitches or a broken nose, sure. Broken jaw, definitely not. #oilers #panthers #nhl”

After the game, the Panthers’ head coach Paul Maurice didn’t look too happy in his press conference. Despite getting his second win of the Finals, he plainly said that the League will look at the incident, and that his feelings about it don’t matter:

“The league will take a look at it. They look at every hit.”

“My feelings don’t matter.”

If Barkov has a broken jaw, it was suggested that he could play with a caged helmet. However, if he has a concussion, he’ll likely miss a few games:

“Broken jaw and/or concussion possible for Barkov

If a broken jaw, could play with a cage like Chara in 2019

If in concussion protocol, assume Panthers will label Barkov day-to-day”

With Sergei Bobrovsky, Barkov is the best player in Florida and without him, containing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be challenging. Especially considering that the Oilers will play the next two games in front of their fans.

Unfortunately for Draisaitl, he could miss out on one or two of these games if the League’s Department of Player Safety reviews the incident and decides to suspend him.

Stay tuned as further details are expected to be released about Barkov’s health before the start of game three on Wednesday night.