SUNRISE, Fla. — Aleksander Barkov is in.

Barkov, the Florida Panthers superstar who was knocked out of Game 2 by a controversial Brandon Hagel hit, is slotted into the lineup for today’s Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice indicated on Saturday morning that his captain could potentially play in Game 3 against Tampa Bay this afternoon.

“He has to take warm-ups,” Maurice said a couple of hours before the scheduled 1 p.m. puck drop. “He has to get through it. We think he’s good.”

Barkov did indeed take part in warm-ups, looking perfectly comfortable throughout.

The defending champion Panthers lead this series, 2-0.

Barkov, one of the NHL’s best two-way players, was injured in the third period of Game 2 when he was walloped by a blind side hit from Hagel. The NHL suspended Hagel one game for the hit, largely because the puck was nowhere near Barkov at the time contact was made.

Barkov remained on the ice for about a minute after absorbing the hit, then walked very slowly to the locker room at Amalie Arena midway through Game 2’s third period. He did not return.

The Panthers never revealed what the injury was, though it’s reasonable to conclude that there was at least concern about a concussion, given the impact of the Hagel hit and that Barkov looked unsteady while walking to the locker room.

This will also mark Matthew Tkachuk’s first home game in Florida since Feb. 8.

Aaron Ekblad also returned from a 20-game suspension for violating the NHL’s Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

(Photo: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)