Finnish captain of the Florida Panthers in the hockey NHL Alexander Barkov completed a hat trick in the opening set, i.e. three goals, as Florida defeated Montreal 7–2 in Barkov’s return match. The Finn had been sidelined for three matches due to injury.
Barkov scored his third goal after a good quarter of the first period had been played. Barkov’s hat trick was the fastest in club history, and the fourth in his Finnish NHL career.
– I play with good players, so the puck will come to me as long as I’m free, the Finn commented on the strong opening set after the match.
In addition to his three goals, Barkov collected two assist points in the match. The night of five power points is the best balance of the man’s NHL career. In addition to Barkov, a summer acquisition Matthew Tkachuk hit powers 2+1.
Florida did not have a big problem at any point in the match. The team’s possession game was particularly strong, as the team scored no less than four possession goals. The team had the upper hand a total of six times.
Florida, which performed convincingly in the regular season last season, has been a fluctuating team this season, which is currently 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Finnish captain emphasized after the Montreal game that the winning streak must continue.
– We played exactly as we want. Now it’s about us continuing to play this way, the right way. Tomorrow will be a tough match, so we have to play with the same energy as today, commented Barkov.
In addition to the fastest hat trick in club history, Barkov has now completed the most power play goals in Florida Panthers history. The second hit of the night was the Finn’s 67th power play goal, with which he passed Scott Mellanby in the number of overtime goals.
– I’ve been here since my NHL reservation. It’s great to be here. It means a lot to me to be on any record list, so I’m really taken, Barkov expressed in the locker room interview after the match.
Eetu Luostarinen completed Florida’s final hit in the third. He made his NHL debut in the match Anton Levtchi. The Tappara-trained player got a good nine minutes of playing time in the match, but was left without any power markings. of Montreal Joel Armia there were also no points in the match.
Rantanen’s namupasses were not enough for Colorado
The reigning NHL champion Colorado Avalanche is still struggling with numerous injuries. In the night round, the team lost to the Los Angeles Kings after the winning shootout with 4–5 goals.
The Avalanche rallied twice in the second period from a losing position, and Colorado led 4–2 at the second period break. However, Los Angeles tied in the final set. Overtime didn’t bring a solution yet, but Los Angeles was stronger in the shootout by Viktor Arvidsson and Adrian Kempen with goals.
Colorado’s Finnish star Mikko Rantanen assisted two of his team’s goals. Colorado’s second Finn Artturi Lehkonen missed points in the match, as did the Finnish striker from Los Angeles Rasmus Kupari. The furious Rantanen has already hit 45 power points this season.
Luukkonen saved the sixth win of the season
The Buffalo Sabers beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-3. Buffalo scored four goals in the second period. Detroit came within two goals in the final set, but Kyle Okposo finished Final scores 6-3. Okposo scored three goals in the match.
Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen saved his sixth win of the season. Detroit goaltender Ville Husso was not in the team composition at all, and Olli Määttä missed points in the match.
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the New York Islanders 1-2. Columbus goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo blocked 34 shots in the match. The team’s Finnish striker Patrick Laine was on the sidelines for the match due to the so-called corona protocol.
A rookie forward in the ranks of the Islanders Aatu Räty toiled for almost nine minutes and shot twice towards the goal.
Tonight’s NHL results
Buffalo-Detroit 6–3 B: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 28/31 saves.
Florida-Montreal 7–2 F: Aleksander Barkov 3+2, Eetu Luostarinen 1+0.
Tampa Bay-NY Rangers vl. 2–1
Washington-Ottawa and. 3–4
NY Islanders-Columbus 2–1 C: Joonas Korpisalo 34/36 saves.
St. Louis-Chicago 3–1
Minnesota-Dallas 1-4 D: Roope Hintz 0+1. Miro Heiskanen 0+1.
Winnipeg-Vancouver 4–2
Colorado-Los Angeles vl. 4–5 C: Mikko Rantanen 0+2.
Arizona-Toronto 6–3 A: Juuso Välimäki 0+1.