Panthers' Gudas exits Game 2 loss after hit from Knights' Barbashev

Florida Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas wasn't able to return to Monday's 7-2 defeat after he absorbed a reverse hit from Vegas Golden Knights forward Ivan Barbashev in the opening period of Game 2.

Gudas went straight down the tunnel on the play. Barbashev wasn't penalized for the incident.

Florida head coach Paul Maurice had no updates on Gudas' status postgame, per team beat reporter Jameson Olive.

The Panthers entered the contest with 11 forwards and seven defensemen because Gudas was already banged up, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Blue-liner Casey Fitzgerald came into the lineup, replacing forward Zac Dalpe.

Prior to Monday's action, Gudas had three assists in 17 playoff games while leading all skaters with 79 hits.