SUNRISE, Florida. Alexander Barkov Had a hat trick and two assists after injury to help the Florida Panthers to a 7-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday at FLA Live Arena.
Barkov, who missed the previous three games due to a knee injury, got the fourth hat-trick of his career.
“There is such an impression that I got some jumps,” said Barkov. “Playing with really good players, they’ll find me. That’s about it.”
Video. [email protected]. Tkachuk scores a PPG in the 2nd period
Matthew Tkachuk had two goals and an assist, and Carter Verhehe had a goal and an assist for the Panthers (16-16-4), who have lost three straight. Sergey Bobrovsky made 25 saves.
Arber Djekaj had a goal and an assist, and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens (15-18-3), who have lost four straight and are 1-6-1 in their last eight games. Sam Montembo made 34 saves.
“I like the fight we had tonight, especially in the first [period]“Montreal coach Martin St. Louis. “It wasn’t perfect, but we were fighting.”
Florida was 3 for 6 on the power play. Montreal was 2-for-4. The Canadiens have allowed 6 goals in their last penalty shootout.
“Our PK is struggling right now,” St. Louis said. “For a good part of the early season we were going really well. Now we’re facing some really good power plays and we’re just a little bit out. You have to give them credit, and for us, as little growing pains as there are, you can’t buy those replays.”
Video. In the 1st period, Barkov became the author of a hat-trick
Barkov gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead 2:37 into the first period when Gustav ForslingA point shot deflected off Barkov’s waist, then made it 2-0 at 11:50 with a wrist shot from outside the circle on the power play.
Khekai made it 2-1 at 14:14 thanks to a spot kick goal.
Barkov completed his hat trick at 15:22 when he got a low shot in front of the net and deflected it past Montembo.
“He’s one of the best in the league, so if you give a player like that space and time, he’ll make you pay,” Xhekai said. “That’s what he did tonight.”
Video. [email protected]. Verhegen scores in the 3rd period
Anderson made it 3-2 at 19:13 on a rebound in the final minute of a 5-3 game.
At 6:22 of the second period, Tkachuk added another goal to extend the lead to 4-2 on a layup. Brandon Montourshot from the point.
At 4:14 of the third period, Verhegge made it 5-2 with a short-range shot over Montembo’s right shoulder.
“We know what we have to do, and we want to do it again,” said Verhegen. “We want to play the same way, win or lose. We want to stick to our game and try to build it. It’s good tonight, but we’ve got to keep going here.”
Video: [email protected]. Tkachuk shoots in the SHG in the 3rd period
Tkachuk gave the Panthers a 6-2 lead at 7:24 on the power play. Eetu Luostarinen 9:31 for a 7-2 final.
“We played exactly the way we wanted,” Panthers captain Barkov said. “Right now it’s all about continuing to play like that and continuing to build each game.”
NOTES: Barkow became the sixth player in Panthers history to score three goals in a period and just the second skater with as many goals in the first period, joining Steven Reinprecht (Oct. 30, 2009). His power-play goal made him Florida’s all-time leader in that category with 67, passing Scott Mellanby. … Montour had three assists. … Panthers quarterbacks Aaron Ekblad (plus-3 at 23:24 of ice time) and Radko Gudas (four shots in 18:07) each returned from injury. … before Florida Anton Levtchi Played 9:41 in his NHL debut. … Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher returned after missing 13 games with a lower-body injury. He had three shots on goal in 13:41 and 17 penalty minutes. … Montreal defender Caden Goulet Left the ice late in the third period with an apparent leg injury after tangled with Barkov behind the net. St. Louis had no update.
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