Florida Panthers star center Aleksander Barkov practiced with the team on Saturday for the first time since his Oct. 10 lower-body injury and is expected to return to action Monday against the host Buffalo Sabres.
Barkov, 29, will miss his eighth consecutive game on Saturday night when the Panthers visit the New York Islanders. The reigning Stanley Cup champions will play the Sabres Monday, then face the Dallas Stars twice as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series on Nov. 1-2 in Barkov’s native Finland.
“We believe if Barkov gets off the ice feeling good today, we’ll see him against Buffalo,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after the team’s morning skate on Saturday.
“It’s great seeing him healthy and close to being back,” forward Patrick Giles said.
Barkov, who won the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward last season for the second time, was injured while attempting to prevent an empty-net goal in the waning moments of Florida’s 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The forward crashed feet-first into the end boards.
He has one point — an assist — in two games this season. Barkov is the franchise leader in several categories, including goals (266), assists (446), points (712) and game-winning goals (48). He was selected by the Panthers with the second overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft.
