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Panthers Coach Reveals Next Move for Sam Reinhart Amid Injury Concerns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated May 23, 2025 6:45 AM ET

The Florida Panthers left Raleigh with a commanding 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final, following another dominant win, 5-0 this time, over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Game 2 also left Florida with an injury concern after forward Sam Reinhart exited in the first period and did not return.

Reinhart, who led the team in scoring during the regular season with 81 points in 79 games, suffered a lower-body injury after taking a hit from Carolina’s Sebastian Aho near the blue line.

The impact appeared to bend Reinhart’s left leg awkwardly, and though he returned to the bench briefly, he soon left for the dressing room. Reinhart did not come back for the second or third period.

HC Paul Maurice on Sam Reinhart (lower body)- “We’ll get him looked at tomorrow.” Says they don’t have an update yet, will get one Saturday.
— Katie Engleson (@KatieEngleson) May 23, 2025

Following the 5-0 win, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice provided the only official update for now, revealing what's next for the forward and the organization.

"We'll get him looked at (Friday)," Maurice said. "We'll get an update Saturday."

Sam Reinhart has gone to the dressing room following this hit from Sebastian Aho pic.twitter.com/7OIFajHkLq
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 23, 2025

The injury casts uncertainty over one of Florida’s most productive playoff performers.

Reinhart had recorded 11 points in 13 games before Thursday night and played a pivotal role in Florida’s first-round win over Tampa Bay.

Despite Reinhart’s absence, the Panthers have overwhelmed Carolina through the first two games of the Eastern Conference finals, outscoring them 10-2 across two matches.

Game 2 saw goals from Gustav Forsling, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett (twice), and Aleksander Barkov.

Florida has now outscored its opponents 22-4 across its last four road games and returns home two wins away from a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

Game 3 is set for Saturday night in Sunrise, FL, with puck drop set at 8 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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