Actions speak louder than words for Panthers in response to Aleksander Barkov injury

SUNRISE, Florida – Sometimes an old cliché works.

And coming out of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, a 4-1 Florida Panthers victory, actions truly are going to speak louder than words.

In the third period, with Florida leading 2-1, Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl left his feet and delivered an elbow to the head of Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. It was a dirty hit that looks worse each time you watch it back.

Barkov never returned to the game, and in post-game media availability, the Panthers toed the company line of “no comment” and avoided saying anything more. Panthers coach Paul Maurice, when pressed on his feelings about the play, retorted, “This isn’t the Oprah Winfrey show; my feelings don’t matter.”

There was no formal update on Barkov, although Maurice did say he hadn’t h