Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Hoists Cup for second straight year
Rotowire
Barkov delivered two assists in a 5-1 Stanley Cup-clinching victory over Edmonton on Tuesday.
His Selke grit set the tone for the Panthers, who excelled in the postseason. This was Barkov's second straight lift of the Cup. He finished with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 23 games this postseason. Barkov delivered five assists on a three-game point streak to finish the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Nabs assist in win
Rotowire
Barkov logged an assist in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Oilers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Barkov has three helpers over the last two games. The 29-year-old opened the series with three scoreless efforts, but he's found his way back on the scoresheet as the Panthers make a push for a second consecutive championship. The center has produced six goals, 14 helpers, 45 shots on net, 50 hits, 22 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating across 22 playoff appearances.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Earns two helpers in loss
Rotowire
Barkov logged two power-play assists, four shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Thursday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Barkov helped out on both of Matthew Tkachuk's tallies in the first period. The 29-year-old Barkov had been held off the scoresheet with a minus-3 rating and six shots on net over the first three games of this series. He's now at 18 points (eight on the power play), 45 shots on net, 49 hits, 21 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 21 playoff outings. His defensive prowess is a gift and a curse -- Barkov's had his hands full trying to contain Connor McDavid for much of this series, limiting his own chances on offense.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Collects pair of assists
Rotowire
Barkov notched two assists, two shots on goal, two hits and a minus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Hurricanes in Game 5.
Barkov set up third-period tallies by Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett to help the Panthers clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. Over five games against the Hurricanes, Barkov put up three goals and four assists from his first-line spot. The 29-year-old leads the Panthers in points this postseason with 17 in as many games, and he's added 34 shots on net, 40 hits, 16 blocked shots and a plus-4 rating.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Three-point effort in Game 3 win
Rotowire
Barkov scored twice, dished an assist, blocked two shots and went plus-4 in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 3.
Barkov netted both of his tallies during a five-goal third period for the Panthers. He also assisted on a Niko Mikkola tally in the first. During his four-game point streak, Barkov has three goals, four assists and six shots on net. The star center is up to six goals, nine helpers, 32 shots, 37 hits, 16 blocks and a plus-9 rating across 15 playoff appearances.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Lights lamp on power play
Rotowire
Barkov put up a power-play goal in a 5-0 win over Carolina in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday.
Barkov's goal put the kitties up 5-0 in the third. He redirected Aaron Ekblad's wrist shot from the right point past Pyotr Kochetkov. It was his fourth goal and 12th point of the postseason (14 games). That total puts Barkov one point behind a trio of teammates (Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett and Eetu Luostarinen) for the team lead in the postseason.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Collects pair of assists
Rotowire
Barkov logged two assists and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 7.
Barkov helped out on Seth Jones' opening tally in the second period and also fed Sam Reinhart with a faceoff win for the Panthers' fifth goal. This was Barkov's first multi-point effort since the playoff opener versus the Lightning on April 22. The 29-year-old center is up to three goals, seven assists, 27 shots on net, 32 hits, nine blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 12 postseason contests. He'll continue to be busy in the Eastern Conference Finals, where his two-way skills will be tested by the Hurricanes' relentless puck possession and grinding playing style.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Pockets power-play helper
Rotowire
Barkov notched a power-play assist and five shots on goal in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 4.
Barkov has two goals and an assist over his last three games. The center helped out on a Carter Verhaeghe tally in the first period. Barkov is up to three goals, five helpers, four power-play points, 24 shots on net, 24 hits, eight blocked shots and a plus-1 rating through nine playoff outings. He continues to play heavy minutes in a top-line role, giving him plenty of chances to influence play in all zones.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Pots goal in Game 3 OT win
Rotowire
Barkov scored a goal on four shots and recorded five hits in Friday's 5-4 overtime win over the Maple Leafs in Game 3.
Barkov scored for a second straight game and has found the back of the net in three of his last four appearances. The 29-year-old star center has been a model of consistency for the Panthers this postseason, cracking the scoresheet in all but two of his eight appearances while racking up seven points (three goals, four assists), 19 shots, 23 hits and eight blocked shots.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Tickles twine in Game 5
Rotowire
Barkov scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Lightning in Game 5.
Barkov was able to avoid missing a game after getting hurt in Game 2. The superstar center was able to put up five points, 10 shots on net, nine hits, five blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over five playoff contests in the first round. He'll get a little bit of rest prior to the second round as the Panthers await their next opponent, either the Maple Leafs or the Senators.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Back in saddle in Game 3 loss
Rotowire
Barkov had five shots, two hits and one block across 18:52 of ice time Saturday in a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 3.
Brandon Hagel missed Saturday's game after being suspended for interference on Barkov on Thursday. Barkov didn't have a shot on goal in the first two games versus the Lightning while earning three assists. He put up eight goals and 14 assists in 24 games last postseason, and he will likely continue a near-point-per-game pace as long as the Panthers remain in the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Good to go
Rotowire
Barkov (undisclosed) will play in Game 3 against Tampa Bay on Saturday, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Barkov won't miss additional playing time after leaving Thursday's 2-0 win over the Lightning. He has collected three assists, four hits and three blocked shots through two outings this postseason. In Saturday's matchup, Barkov will skate on the top line and see action on the top power-play unit.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Could play Saturday
Rotowire
Barkov (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus Tampa Bay on Saturday in Game 3, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.
Barkov will participate in pregame warmups to test the injury, but coach Paul Maurice believes the 29-year-old forward will play. Barkov left Thursday's 2-0 win over Tampa Bay following a big hit from Lightning winger Brandon Hagel, which resulted in a five-minute major for interference and a one-game suspension for Hagel. Should Barkov miss the afternoon tilt, Tomas Nosek could enter the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Questionable ahead of Game 3
Rotowire
Barkov (undisclosed) hasn't been ruled out for Game 3 against the Lightning on Saturday but also hasn't been given the all-clear, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Barkov's absence would create a significant hole in the Panthers' lineup, especially considering he is riding a five-game point streak in which he has generated one goal and six helpers, including a pair of power-play points. If Barkov does miss out Saturday, Sam Bennett would be the most logical choice to step into the first-line role.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Sustains injury during Game 2
Rotowire
Barkov suffered an undisclosed injury during Game 2's 2-0 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday. Head coach Paul Maurice didn't have an update on the 29-year-old's status after the game, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.
Barkov sustained the injury on a hit from Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel in the third period that resulted in Hagel receiving a five-minute major for interference. Barkov registered an assist across 15:41 of ice time before exiting the game. He had 20 goals and 71 points in 67 regular-season appearances. If Barkov can't play, then Tomas Nosek might draw into the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Earns two power-play helpers
Rotowire
Barkov notched two power-play assists, three hits and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Lightning in Game 1.
Barkov helped out on goals by Matthew Tkachuk and Nate Schmidt as the Panthers ran away with the series opener. The 29-year-old Barkov was limited to four of the last nine regular-season games and managed to put up a goal and three assists in that span. He dealt with an upper-body injury for part of that time, but the captain will likely lead by example and play through the pain during the playoffs. He had a total of 20 goals and 71 points in 67 regular-season appearances.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Back in action
Rotowire
Barkov (rest) will return to the lineup versus Tampa Bay for Game 1 of the playoffs, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Barkov sat out the last two games of the regular season as the Panthers locked into third place in the Atlantic Division. He ends the season with 20 goals and 51 assists over 67 games. Barkov will center the top line and see time on the top power play during the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Resting again
Rotowire
Barkov won't play versus the Lightning on Tuesday, Rob Darragh of the Panthers' official site reports.
Barkov will rest for the second time in three games. He should be back for Game 1 of the playoffs.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Contributes pair of assists
Rotowire
Barkov recorded two assists, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Rangers.
Barkov was rested Saturday versus the Sabres but drew back into the lineup Monday. It's unclear if Barkov will be given a second rest Tuesday versus the Lightning, in what could be a preview of a first-round playoff matchup. For the season, Barkov has 20 goals, 51 assists, 149 shots on net, 87 hits, 54 blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over 67 appearances, reaching the 70-point mark for the fourth straight season and the sixth time in his career.
... See More... See Less
Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Slated to return Monday
Rotowire
Barkov (rest) is slated to return to action for Monday's game against the Rangers, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.
Barkov sat out Saturday's game against the Sabres due to rest purposes since the Panthers are already locked into a playoff spot. He's on track to return to the ice for the penultimate game of the regular season after working on the first line during Monday's morning skate. He's recorded points in seven of his last nine appearances, logging three goals, six assists, 15 hits and four PIM while averaging 19:40 of ice time across that span.
