According to Aleksander Barkov, the furious Florida Panthers are now winning the “right” way.
Experienced Alexander Barkov is one of the best Finnish players in the early season of the NHL. The captain of his team, who sensationally advanced to the Stanley Cup finals together with the Florida Panthers last season, has raised his level again.
Last spring, more was expected from the 28-year-old Barkov, even though the team had great success. The most important cornerstone of the playoff success was considered the United States Matthew Tkachuk.
Tkachuk, who came to Florida from Calgary more than a year ago, was the third most effective player in the playoffs with 24 points.
However, since the beginning of the season, Barkov has been the exemplary player for his team who has constantly shown direction. In addition to conscientious defensive play, the Finn has produced a nice amount of power, 22 points in 20 matches.
In the Finns’ internal point exchange, he is second Mikko Rantanen after.
Most importantly, Florida has had a strong season so far, despite having doubts after a breakout season. The team is second in the Atlantic Division and third in the entire Eastern Conference.
In the last 13 matches, it has won as many as nine times. So there is no success hangover to speak of.
Barkov believes that the great last season has propelled Florida to great hitting ability this season as well. Florida won the regular season two years ago with wild flow hockey. There were a lot of goals in both directions.
Now the situation is different.
– We learned to play hard (in the playoffs). We know what it takes to win and we try to win the right way. We’ve won sometimes before, but not the way you have to play in the playoffs. We are already trying to play playoff hockey at this stage, Barkov commented to Urheilu.
Kudos to the chain guy
Barkov felt in the summer that he has to make necessary changes on a personal level. Among other things, he has lost his weight.
– I watched last season and thought about what could be done better. I knew I had to be a little lighter if I wanted to move a little more. However, we have a way of playing where you have to move a lot. If the defensive end wants to attack, it can’t be too heavy.
– I feel better now. Of course, training will continue during the season, Barkov states.
Barkov, who has represented Florida throughout his NHL career since 2013, has often changed teammates. This season, he has been on the radar by Sam Reinhartwho spends his life in the swing of things.
Like Barkov, Reinhart, who belongs to the age group born in 1995, has scored 15 goals, a total of 28 points, in 23 matches this season. The top of Florida’s internal points exchange is now at a pace of 99 points.
Before Florida, Reinhart represented Buffalo, which booked him.
– He is an incredible player. Everyone is talking about him now, but throughout his career in Buffalo, he has been one of the smartest players in the franchise. He always plays the right way and makes the right decisions. He plays overpower and underpower. It’s really great to play with him.
Barkov scored 1+1 of the night in the NHL round as Florida beat Montreal 5–1. The goal was Barkov’s 250th in the NHL regular season.
Barkov was interviewed by Zdenek Matejovsky