Final decision is made for Aleksander Barkov's Game 3 status

Barkov took a severe hit from Leon Draisaitl in Game 2, forcing him to miss the last half of the third period.

If you missed the hit, you can watch it here:

Amid initial concerns of a possible broken jaw or concussion, Paul Maurice delivered positive news for Panthers fans this afternoon.

During his daily press conference, he confirmed that Barkov will be in the lineup tonight as they seek their third win of the series.

According to Chris Johnston:

Having Barkov on the ice will significantly improve the Panthers' chances of containing Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Even if he's not fully recovered, Barkov has consistently demonstrated his importance to the team's success throughout the playoffs.

Should the Panthers secure the Stanley Cup, Barkov, alongside Sergei Bobrovsky, will likely be a top contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of the playoffs.

Given the heavy hit from Draisaitl, are you surprised by the decision regarding Aleksander Barkov's status for Game 3?

Source: Hockey Patrol
The verdict is in for Aleksander Barkov game 3 status