Niko Mikkola leaves Game 3 after ugly crash into the boards.

The Florida Panthers are dominating the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final but unfortunately for the Panthers this series has not come without a cost.

On Saturday night, the Panthers appeared to lose the services of defenseman Niko Mikkola who has been a force for the Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. Mikkola was injured during the game's third period after he appeared to lose his balance before going hard into the boards at a very awkward angle.

Mikkola was trying to make a grab at a loose puck near the Hurricanes net when he suddenly lost his balance, but was far too close to the boards to make any necessary adjustments in time. Mikkola would fall to the ice and go head and shoulder first into the end boards, folding up like an accordian as the full weight of his body and the full force of his momentum slammed him into the boards

Here is a look at the replay of the incident:

Mikkola isn't the kind of player that usually milks an injury so it was concerning to see him stay down, even if only for a moment, in obvious discomfort. Mikkola would skate off under his own power but appeared to be favoring his right arm as he left the ice and headed into the Panthers locker room.

Mikkola has not returned in the third period and I suspect he is likely done for the night and possibly more.