Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Another multi-point effort
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Barkov recorded a shorthanded goal and two even-strength assists in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Jets.
Barkov set up goals from Evan Rodrigues and Dmitry Kulikov, and he also found the back of the net in the late stages of the second period when the Jets were playing with the man advantage. Barkov missed eight games between Oct. 12 and Oct. 26 with a lower-body injury, but he's been nothing short of spectacular since returning to the ice, pushing his point streak to eight games and posting four multi-point efforts in that span.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Keeps sizzling streak alive
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Barkov notched three assists, including one in the power play, in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Predators.
Barkov has been on an absolute tear since returning from an eight-game absence due to a lower-body injury, and the star playmaker is making sure his presence is felt as Florida rides an impressive winning run. In four games since returning to action, Barkov has two goals and eight assists, notching three multi-point efforts in that span and racking up three of those helpers in the power play. The small sample size applies here, as Barkov has played just six games, but he's averaging 1.83 points -- a pace that shows just how good he's been to start the season, but also a figure that shows a regression is likely to happen sooner rather than later.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Four-point outburst Friday
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Barkov netted a goal and added three assists in Friday's 6-4 win over Dallas.
Barkov produced at least one point in each period of Friday's win, and he added two shots, one block and a plus-3 rating in 17:31 of ice time. The Finnish star has racked up six points (two goals) over his last two outings after missing the previous eight games with a lower-body injury. Barkov has found the scoresheet in three of his four appearances, and he's up to two goals, five assists and a plus-3 rating to start the 2024-25 campaign.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Two points in return
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Barkov scored an even-strength goal and added a power-play assist in Monday's 5-2 win over the Sabres.
After assisting on Sam Reinhart's marker in the first period, Barkov fired home his first goal of the season in the third to close out the scoring. The 29-year-old center had missed the prior eight games with a lower-body injury, but he logged 19:29 of ice time Monday, including 3:40 with the man advantage, and Barkov appears to be fully recovered.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Ready to rock
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Barkov (lower body) will return to the lineup Monday against Buffalo, according to Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network.
Following an eight-game absence, Barkov will return to the top line and first power-play unit. He has produced one assist, two shots on goal, three blocked shots and one hit in two appearances this season. Barkov's return will make Adam Boqvist a healthy scratch versus the Sabres.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Practicing Saturday
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Barkov (lower body) practiced with the Panthers on Saturday for the first time since Oct. 10, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Barkov has missed the last seven games after getting hurt in a loss to the Senators. Barkov could return to the lineup before the Panthers play two games in his home country of Finland against Dallas in November, but he won't play Saturday versus the Islanders. Barkov has one assist in two outings this campaign after generating 23 goals and 80 points in 73 regular-season appearances in 2023-24.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Should return before Global Series
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Barkov (lower body) is expected to return to the lineup before the Panthers leave for Finland to play against the Stars in the NHL Global Series, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Barkov, who has been out since Oct. 10, will look to rejoin his teammates ahead of their series against Dallas in his home country of Finland. If he returns before the end of October, it would provide a significant boost to an injury-riddled Florida team. Barkov had 23 goals and 80 points across 73 regular-season games in 2023-24.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Set to miss 2-3 weeks
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Barkov (lower body) is expected to miss 2-3 weeks but could return before the team travels to Finland for the NHL Global Series in November. Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Florida's final contest before heading to Europe is Oct. 28 against Buffalo. Barkov was injured late in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Ottawa. With Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk (illness) unavailable to play Saturday versus the Sabres, Anton Lundell will be on the top line and Patrick Giles will draw into the lineup.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Out vs. Sabres
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Barkov (lower body) didn't practice Saturday and will miss the Panthers' road matchup with the Sabres, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
While the extent of Barkov's injury is still unclear, the Panthers will be without their captain for at least one game. The 29-year-old center had one assist in two games this year after posting 23 goals and 80 points across 73 contests in 2023-24. The earliest Barkov could return would be Monday against the Bruins. Anton Lundell figures to move into a top-six role in his absence, with Patrick Giles slotting into the lineup.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Hurt late in loss
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Barkov sustained a lower-body injury late in Thursday's game versus the Senators, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Barkov will be evaluated through Friday, leaving his status for Saturday's road game in Buffalo in doubt. The center crashed feet first into the boards while trying to break up Tim Stutzle's empty-net goal. Barkov was unable to put weight on his right leg when he left the ice.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Nets lone goal in loss
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Barkov scored a goal on three shots and went minus-2 in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 6.
Barkov had a tally in the second period overturned on a review, as the play was offside. He eventually got a goal anyway, but the Panthers couldn't build off of it. The 28-year-old has five points over six games against the Oilers, but the Panthers' depth scoring has evaporated almost as quickly as their 3-0 series lead. Barkov is at 22 points, 57 shots on net, 50 hits, 24 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 23 playoff outings.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Two points in Thursday's win
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Barkov scored a goal, dished an assist, added two hits, logged two PIM and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers in Game 3.
Barkov was initially questionable after suffering an upper-body injury in Game 2 on Monday, but he was ultimately able to avoid missing time. That proved to be a great thing for the Panthers, as Barkov helped out on Sam Reinhart's first-period tally and scored the game-winner himself in the second. Barkov is up to seven goals, 21 points, 50 shots on net, 43 hits and a plus-4 rating through 20 playoff appearances.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Good to go for Game 3
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Barkov (upper body) will play in Thursday's Game 3 versus the Oilers, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Barkov exited and did not return to Monday's Game 2 win over Edmonton after taking a high hit from the Oilers' Leon Draisaitl in the third period, but luckily for the Panthers, it seems whatever injury prevented him from returning to that contest didn't end up being overly serious. The 28-year-old pivot, who's racked up six goals and 19 points through 19 games this postseason, will skate on the first line and top power-play unit Thursday.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Making progress
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Barkov (upper body) is progressing ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday against Edmonton, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Barkov's availability for Thursday's contest is in question due to an injury he sustained during the third period of Monday's 4-1 victory over the Oilers. He will be assessed further Wednesday, but head coach Paul Maurice expressed optimism Tuesday that they will be in "good shape" if the 28-year-old forward continues to make positive progress. Barkov has registered six goals and 19 points in 19 outings this postseason.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: No update after game
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Barkov suffered an apparent injury during Monday's Game 2 win over Edmonton. There was no update on his status after the game, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Barkov took a hit up high from Leon Draisaitl in the third period and went straight back to the locker room. Barkov had two shots on goal in 17:47 of ice time before exiting the contest. He logged two assists in Game 1 and has 19 points through 19 postseason contests. There should be an update on his status before Game 3 on Thursday.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Dishes pair of assists
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Barkov recorded two assists, two shots on goal, three hits, four blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Oilers in Game 1.
Barkov has a goal and five assists over his last five contests. The 28-year-old is firmly in the Conn Smythe conversation with six goals, 13 helpers, 47 shots on net, 40 hits, 17 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over 18 playoff appearances, to go along with his usual stellar defensive work. Aside from the score, the Panthers didn't control much Saturday, and Barkov may have his hands full with arguably the toughest defensive matchups he's faced all season throughout the rest of the series.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Scores game-winning goal
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Barkov scored his fifth goal of the postseason in Sunday's 3-2 win over Boston in Game 4.
Barkov scored the game-winning goal Sunday in Boston to help the Panthers get within one win of advancing to the third round of the postseason. The Finnish superstar diced through the middle of the ice before beating Jeremy Swayman under his right arm almost midway through the third period. The goal extended Barkov's point streak to five games -- he has 11 points over that span. Florida's captain is leading the team in scoring so far this postseason with 13 points in nine games to go along with a plus-4 rating.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Four points in Game 2
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Barkov tallied two goals and two assists in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Bruins in Game 2.
Barkov powered the Panthers' offense in the convincing series-tying victory, putting Florida ahead 2-1 with a tally in the second period before adding another goal and two helpers in the third. The 28-year-old Barkov now has four goals and eight points in his last three games after going scoreless in his previous three contests. He's up to 10 points (four goals, six assists) through seven postseason contests.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Lends helper in loss
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Barkov posted an assist, two shots on goal, three hits and a minus-2 rating in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 1.
Barkov forced a turnover and fed Matthew Tkachuk for the opening tally, but that was all the Panthers could produce against Jeremy Swayman. In addition to the helper, Barkov went 19-for-28 at the faceoff dot, which was a strength for the Panthers as a whole against a less experienced Boston center group than in years past. Barkov is up to two goals, four assists, 16 shots on net, 16 hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-1 rating over six playoff outings.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Three-point effort in win
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Barkov scored twice on four shots, added an assist, went plus-4, levied four hits and blocked two shots in Monday's 6-1 win over the Lightning in Game 5.
Barkov's first tally was a shorthanded one in the second period, and it stood as the series-clinching goal. He also added the first of four goals in the third as the Panthers ran away with the win. The center ends the first round of the playoffs with five points, 14 shots on net, 14 hits, six blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over five appearances. He posted 23 goals and 80 points over 73 regular-season outings while serving as the Panthers' top-line center.
