Barkov sets Panthers' all-time points record in win against Red Wings

DETROIT --Aleksander Barkov became the Florida Panthers' all-time leading scorer in a 5-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Monday.

"This is a great feeling, and I'm sure I'll realize that even more as time goes by," said Barkov, the Panthers captain, whose teammates gave him the silent treatment after the game before cheering for him. "I didn't even realize what was happening because I wasn't expecting anything. When they all started cheering, that's a moment I'll remember the rest of my life."

Barkov had a second-period assist that gave him 614 points (238 goals, 376 assists), passing Jonathan Huberdeau (613 points; 198 goals, 415 assists).
"He might be the most humble man I've ever met, and he's certainly the most humble elite player I've ever met," Florida coach Paul Maurice said.
Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists for his 31st multipoint game this season, tying Huberdeau's Florida record set in 2018-19.
Carter Verhaeghe scored twice, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves for the Panthers (36-27-7), who have a seven-game point streak (6-0-1). Florida moved into the second wild card from the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who lost 2-1 to the Ottawa Senators on Monday.
"Getting into a playoff spot was our goal, but we still have a lot of work to do," Verhaeghe said. "We've got the right guys in this room, a lot of good leadership and a lot of great players."

Ville Husso made 20 saves for the Red Wings (30-30-9), who have lost nine of their past 11 (2-8-1). Detroit is 10 points behind Florida with a game in hand.
"Our margin of error is very thin," Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. "That's frustrating right now, but we have to keep playing."
Tkachuk put Florida ahead 1-0 at 7:28 of the first period, knocking in Sam Bennett's pass after a Lucas Raymond turnover.
The Panthers took a 2-0 lead at 12:28 when Verhaeghe's shot from the top of the slot went in off the stick of Red Wings forward Andrew Copp.
"Turnovers really cost us in the first period," Copp said. "We have to find a way to play a little more inspired than we did tonight."

Pius Suter cut it to 2-1 at 14:37 when he scored in the crease.
Gustav Forsling give the Panthers a 3-1 lead at 11:33 of the second period with a one-timer from the left point.
Dylan Larkin scored on a delayed penalty to pull Detroit within 3-2 at 7:53, but Eric Staal finished off a 2-on-0 to put Florida ahead 4-2 at 16:08.
"The 3-1 goal was certainly important, and Staal scoring was critically important," Maurice said. "I thought it was a pretty good game and a nice road win."
Verhaeghe scored a power-play goal at 18:37 for the 5-2 final.
Bennett left midway through the third with an undisclosed injury. Maurice said there would be an update on him Tuesday.
NOTES: Barkov is Florida's all-time leader in goals, 40 ahead of Huberdeau, and second to him in assists. With 652 games played, he is also 19 behind him for the most in Panthers history (671). … Tkachuk scored for a fourth straight game and has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in his past five. … Larkin has 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in his past 31 games.