What happened: Florida will be without its captain while Aleksander Barkov rehabs a lower-body injury. He is expected to be available again in six to eight weeks without undergoing surgery.

Why it matters: As captain, Barkov's absence removes Florida's on-ice leader for nearly two months. The stint follows his return after missing last season, putting durability back in focus.

What to watch: Watch Florida's center rotation and penalty-kill assignments until Barkov resumes skating.