Barkov to play for Panthers against Hurricanes in Game 4 of East Final

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Aleksander Barkov will play for the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final at FLA Live Arena on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, CBC, SN, TVAS).

The Panthers center left a 1-0 win in Game 3 on Monday with 7:04 remaining in the first period because of a lower-body injury sustained on a hip check from Carolina forward Jack Drury.

"Ready to roll," coach Paul Maurice said after the Panthers morning skate.

Florida leads the best-of-7 series 3-0 and can advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in its history, first since being swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final.

RELATED: [Complete Hurricanes vs. Panthers series coverage]

Teams that take a 3-0 lead in a best-of-7 series are 200-4 (.980), including 46-0 (1.000) in the round before the Final.

Barkov was a full participant in an optional morning skate Wednesday after the Panthers did not skate Tuesday and showed no signs of being hampered by his injury.

"He said he'll be OK right after the game (Monday)," linemate Anthony Duclair said. "Obviously we were all worried him not finishing the game. We all know how big a part of this run he is and for him to be ready tonight is a big boost for sure."

Barkov has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 15 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to help Florida reach the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 1996. He had three points (two goals, one assist) in the first two games against the Hurricanes, including a highlight-reel backhand goal in the second period of a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 2.

Barkov was second on Florida during the regular season with 78 points (23 goals, 55 assists) in 68 games.

"He's our best player and it's so nice getting him back," linemate Carter Verhaeghe said. "He's feeling good, so it's huge for us."