Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Pockets power-play helper
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Pots goal in Game 3 OT win
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Tickles twine in Game 5
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Back in saddle in Game 3 loss
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Good to go
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Could play Saturday
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Questionable ahead of Game 3
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Sustains injury during Game 2
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Earns two power-play helpers
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Back in action
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Resting again
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Contributes pair of assists
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Slated to return Monday
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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.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Day off Saturday
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Barkov (rest) will not play Saturday against the Sabres, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.
With the Panthers locked into a playoff spot, Barkov and Sam Reinhart (rest) will get another day off down the stretch. They didn't play last Sunday against Detroit, either. Barkov has 20 goals and 69 points through 66 games this season.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Nine points in last nine games
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Barkov scored in Thursday's 4-1 win over Detroit.
Barkov redirected a point shot past Cam Talbot in the third period to push the score to 4-1. He has two points (one goal, one assist) in his last two games and nine, including three goals, in his last nine contests. Barkov has 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists) in 66 games, and it's the fifth season in a row where he put up more points than games played. This season's minus-1 rating is a strange anomaly after last season's plus-33 rating, but that won't have much of a bearing in most formats.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Earns assist in return
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Barkov logged an assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.
Barkov helped out on Carter Verhaeghe's empty-netter late in the third period. The 29-year-old Barkov had missed three games due to an upper-body injury before returning to his top-line role Tuesday. He saw 19:25 of ice time in this contest, about a minute under his season average. The center has 68 points (19 goals, 49 assists), 144 shots on net, 86 hits, 54 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 65 appearances, but he's also missed time to two separate injuries and one illness during 2024-25.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Set to return Tuesday
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Barkov (upper body) will return to the lineup Tuesday versus Toronto, according to Luke Fox of Sportsnet.
Barkov missed three games due to his upper-body injury but will be available for an important Atlantic Division matchup. The left-shot center will slot back into his usual role on the top line and on the No. 1 power-play unit. Sam Bennett (upper body) is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, so Barkov will have a lot of heavy lifting to do up the middle before the postseason begins. Florida's captain generated two goals and seven points over seven games prior to sustaining his injury.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Set to miss more time
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Barkov (upper body) will not play against Ottawa on Saturday but could return by the end of next week, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Coach Paul Maurice said Saturday that Barkov could return before Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) but put them on similar timelines. Barkov should be available for the beginning of the playoffs. He has 19 goals and 48 assists in 64 games this season. Due to Barkov's absence, Sam Bennett will take over as the first-line center.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Unlikely to play this weekend
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Barkov (upper body) is doubtful to play this weekend, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.
Barkov is projected to miss the rest of the Panthers' road trip, which includes stops in Ottawa on Saturday and Detroit on Sunday. The 29-year-old's injury is not considered serious, but the Panthers are taking a cautious approach with one of their most important players. Anton Lundell should continue to see top-six minutes until Barkov is deemed healthy enough to play.
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Panthers' Aleksander Barkov: Sitting out Wednesday
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Barkov (upper body) won't play Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs.
Barkov was banged up in Tuesday's game against the Canadiens but was able to finish that contest. However, the Panthers look to be taking a cautious approach with the center since they'll likely be in the playoffs -- though Wednesday's game is important for seeding. Jonah Gadjovich is expected to enter the lineup while Anton Lundell figures to move into the top six to cover Barkov's absence.
