The Florida Panthers may get injured captain Aleksander Barkov back a bit quicker than expected. And if nothing else, he’s still on track to play when the Stanley Cup champions go to his native Finland for a pair of games.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Aleksander Barkov skated Thursday for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury and could return to the lineup for the Florida Panthers as soon as next week, coach Paul Maurice said.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to be sidelined two to three weeks with a lower-body injury, head coach Paul Maurice announced Saturday.

Captain Aleksander Barkov suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury following a collision with Tim Stutzle during a defensive play in the game’s final minutes and with only 70 seconds left to play. Unable to put any weight on his right leg, Barkov needed help getting off the ice, leading to concerns about the severity of his injury.

Florida Panthers captain and top-line center Aleksander Barkov sustained a lower-body injury late in their 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre.

Barkov went skates first into the boards. Behind Florida’s goal while trying to defend against an empty-net opportunity for Senators forward Tim Stutzle. He had not skated since suffering the injury, until Thursday morning.

Panthers injured captain Aleksander Barkov skated Thursday for the first time since leaving a game at Ottawa on Oct. 10 with a lower-body injury, a sign he may be back a bit quicker than expected.

Aleksander Barkov was on the ice getting some work in before Panthers morning skate ahead of a date with the Canucks on Thursday.