Linesman Steve Barton suffered a leg injury on Sunday that may see him sidelined for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Barton was injured during the second period of Sunday’s game in Washington between the Blue Jackets and Capitals. After a face-off in the Washington zone, the backwards-skating Barton appeared to clip the skate of Columbus winger Josh Anderson. Barton’s edge appeared to catch a rut, twisting his leg as he lost his balance and crashed to the ice.
This is the second time in a month that Barton has been injured during a game. On March 27, Barton was taken out by a sliding Connor McDavid. The veteran official landed hard, hitting his helmet on the ice.
Both of Barton’s recent injuries happened in games featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets. If he’s been bitten by the injury bug, perhaps that bug is Stinger.
“Steve suffered a dislocated knee cap and a torn quadriceps which will require surgery,” said NHL Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom, as reported The Atheletic’s Aaron Portzline. “Fortunately, doctors told him this is the type of injury that you recover back to 100 percent.”
The two teams played out the second period with one linesman – Devin Berg, in his first year in the playoffs – and referees Steve Kozari and Brian Pochmara.
Standby referee Garrett Rank handled linesman duties for the third period and overtime.
