Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov could return from a non-COVID illness Saturday against the Calgary Flames.
Head coach Paul Maurice said Friday that Barkov was feeling better and the team is “optimistic” their captain will be back in the lineup.
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Barkov has missed one game, Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, due to illness.
The 27-year-old from Tampere, Finland, is fourth on the team in scoring with 14 points — four goals and 10 assists — in 16 games this season.
Florida is fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 9-7-1 record.
Saturday’s contest will mark the first meeting between the Panthers and Flames since their blockbuster trade over the summer that sent Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar to Calgary and Matthew Tkachuk to Florida.
Watch the Flames visit the Panthers on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or SN NOW.
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