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NHL playoffs: Linesman Steve Barton suffers dislocated knee cap, torn quadriceps in game

He fell awkwardly to the ice and seemed to be in considerable pain when he was helped off by team trainers late in the second period.
Courtesy USA Today Sports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NHL linesman Steve Barton will undergo surgery after suffering a dislocated knee cap and torn quadriceps during the Columbus Blue Jackets-Washington Capitals playoff game Sunday night.

The ugly injury occurred when Barton was skating backwards and nicked the skate of Columbus forward Josh Anderson at Capital One Arena in Game 2 of the first-round series. He fell awkwardly to the ice and seemed to be in considerable pain when he was helped off by team trainers late in the second period.

“Fortunately, doctors told him this is the type of injury that you recover back to 100 percent,” NHL director of officiating Steven Walkom said, via The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.

This season has been unlucky for Barton. He had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher in late March when Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid lost his balance and bowled over Barton, who hit his head on the ice. The Oilers were playing the Blue Jackets at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

Backup linesman Garrett Rank replaced Barton in Sunday's game.

The Blue Jackets defeated the Capitals 5-4 in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead. The series shifts to Columbus starting on Tuesday.

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