2023-24 Playoff Focus: Aleksander Barkov (R1, GM5)

Closing out the Lightning in style

Credit: NHL.com

On Monday night, the Florida Panthers found themselves in a trickier position than their 3-1 series lead would suggest. They’d just dropped their first game to a highly decorated Lightning core that they would need to dispatch without the services of tone-setting 2C Sam Bennett (upper-body injury).

Aleksander Barkov sensed the urgency of the moment and delivered a three-zone masterclass to bury his team’s divisional/state rival.

Paul Maurice can always count on his captain’s defense—and this affair was no exception. Equipped with some of the best physical tools of any Selke-caliber center, the 6’3”, 215-pounder used his range and stick work to great effect:

On offense, however, he has a tendency to fade into the background at times.

Not in Game 5.

Both in terms of playmaking and scoring, he grabbed the bull by the horns to exploit a patchy Lightning defense. His performance was uncharacteristically assertive. Incisive passes and heavy traffic. It was almost…Tkachuk-ian. Hell, he even set up Sam Reinhart (FLA 13) from #19’s office below the goal line:

His two goals were also the product of a blistering time to attack:

• Off an OZ faceoff win, he sneaks outside the frame to sow confusion in coverage (TB 98 and 20) and then flows to the net in search of loose change from the point shot. His route, along with a juicy rebound, grants him a SH freebie.

• After setting a soft pick on Erik Cernak (TB 81), he simply beats the blueliner back to the crease and is rewarded with his second greasy goal of the contest.

Notice the pattern?

While it isn’t in his nature, Barkov is significantly more dangerous when he’s decisive and direct. He chose an excellent time to flip that switch and ultimately prevented the Lightning from mounting a comeback in Round 1.

All in all, the two-way stalwart posted a 56.2 xGF%, his highest shot total of the series, three high-danger chances, two goals and one primary assist.

Here are the full highlights:

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