Barkov helped off ice after crashing into boards

The Florida Panthers fell to the Ottawa Senators 3-1 on Thursday night, but they may have also lost their captain.

Aleksander Barkov needed to be helped off the ice after crashing feet-first into the boards while trying to stop Tim Stutzle's empty-net goal in the final moments of the contest. The reigning Selke Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion seemed to struggle to put weight on his right leg.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had no update on the center's status after the game.

"He's going to get looked at here tonight and probably tomorrow as well," the bench boss said, per NHL.com's Jameson Olive.

Stutzle, meanwhile, is wishing the best for his Atlantic Division rival.

"I hope he's not hurt," Stutzle said of Barkov, according to The Athletic's Julian McKenzie.

Barkov ranked second on the Panthers with 57 assists and third with 80 points in 73 regular-season contests last season. He went on to add 22 points - tied with Matthew Tkachuk for the team lead - in 24 playoff outings.

The 29-year-old Finn is Florida's all-time leader in games played (738), goals (266), assists (446), and points (712). The Panthers selected Barkov with the second overall pick at the 2013 NHL Draft.

Barkov has only skated in every contest of an 82-game season once in his career (2018-19).