Panthers forward ejected in first period of Game 3 vs Hurricanes for boarding
The Florida Panthers are now down two key forwards for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.
In addition to star winger Sam Reinhart being sidelined for the game Saturday due to a lower-body injury, Florida will play the final two periods without third-line winger Eetu Luostarinen, one of the team's surprise stars this postseason, after he was ejected late in the first period.
The penalty was assessed with 3:01 left in the first period when Luostarinen boarded Carolina forward Jackson Blake, who crashed head first and remained down on the ice momentarily.
Luostarinen was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct.
Luostarinen entered Saturday tied for the team lead with 13 points, producing four goals and nine assists, while leading the NHL in plus-minus (plus-12) this postseason.
With Luostarinen ejected and Reinhart a scratch, Florida is without two of its top penalty-killing forwards for the remainder of the game.
Florida leads the best-of-7 series 2-0 and is two wins away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive year.
This story will be updated.
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