The Florida Panthers were having a great start in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final until star forward Sam Reinhart suffered an injury. Early in the game, Reinhart collided with Carolina Hurricanes captain Sebastian Aho and had to leave the ice. Aho attempted a hip check on Reinhart, causing him to slide into the boards in discomfort. Despite skating back to the bench, Reinhart did not return for the second period, and the Panthers later announced he was out for the rest of the game, which they ended up winning 5-0. Reinhart will undergo evaluation back in Florida on Friday to determine the extent of his injury.
The hit by Aho did not result in a penalty during the game, but the NHL Department of Player Safety might review the play for potential discipline. Losing Reinhart would be a significant setback for the Panthers, as he has been a key player in their offense with a history of scoring goals in the past few seasons and during last year’s Stanley Cup run. With four goals in 14 postseason games so far, Reinhart’s absence would surely be felt by the team. It remains to be seen if the league will take further action regarding the hit on Reinhart, adding more uncertainty to the situation.
Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like Reinhart’s injury could have a big impact on the Panthers’ performance moving forward. Losing a player of his caliber could change the dynamics of the team and affect their chances in the playoffs. Hopefully, Reinhart’s evaluation on Friday will provide more clarity on his condition and when he might be able to return to the ice. In the meantime, the Panthers will have to regroup and adjust their game plan without one of their key offensive weapons.
