Panthers Lose Key Forward Reinhart to Injury for Game 3 vs Hurricanes

The Florida Panthers will be without key forward Sam Reinhart for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes due to a lower-body injury sustained during Game 2. Reinhart, who has been instrumental for the Panthers this season with 81 points in the regular season and 11 points in the playoffs, suffered the injury after a hip check from Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho and will be replaced by Jesper Boqvist. Panthers coach Paul Maurice acknowledged the significance of losing Reinhart, a critical player on the power play and penalty kill, but expressed confidence in the team's depth despite the setback. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are also dealing with injuries, with defenseman Jalen Chatfield out and Sean Walker listed as a game-time decision, while goalie Pyotr Kochetkov is set to start Game 3. The Panthers lead the series 2-0 and aim to extend their advantage despite the absence of Reinhart, while the Hurricanes seek to rebound at home. Jesper Boqvist will slot into Reinhart’s spot on the top line alongside Aleksander Barkov and Evan Rodrigues, tasked with maintaining the Panthers’ offensive momentum.