5 Takeaways: Barkov's Hat Trick Leads Panthers Past Canadiens

SUNRISE, Fla. - Aleksander Barkov scored three times - including a highlight-reel goal in the second period worthy of many repeat viewings - to lead the Florida Panthers to a huge 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night at BB&T Center.

"He was the best player on the ice, for sure," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "It started early on in the game with the power play. His [second-period] goal was probably the prettiest I've seen all season… You could tell from the beginning of the game that he had good legs, good jump. He put the team on his back. We need that out of our best players."
The Panthers (25-24-8) broke the ice early against the Canadiens, as Barkov cashed in on a juicy rebound on the power play just 3:59 into the first period to make it 1-0. Not long after that, Denis Malgin fooled goaltender Antti Niemi on a very long wrist shot to make it 2-0 at 11:28.
That's when the game really opened up.
At 13:04 of the first period, Max Domi got the Canadiens on the board with a wrist shot from the slot that snuck past James Reimer to make it 2-1. But just 53 seconds after that, Frank Vatrano answered for the Panthers with a slot shot of his own that made it 3-1 at 13:57.
With 16:46 left in the opening frame, Brendan Gallagher made it 3-2 after a turnover.
"We looked for answers after the first 10 minutes in the second period," Boughner said of the game's early shifts in momentum. "We got to that second timeout and talked about simplifying and getting that urgency back. The switch flipped a little bit."
In the second period, Domi tied the game with his second of the night at 5:18 before Barkov put the Panthers back on top with an eye-popping, through-the-legs goal that made it 4-3 at 17:49.
"I saw one of the best goals I've ever seen," Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle said. "To do that in a game with a guy on his back against probably the best goalie in the game, it just shows the type of confidence he has… He doesn't give himself much credit, but with that confidence, that skill set and that ability to put it all together, I was glad I had a front-row seat to it."
With Florida holding onto a one-goal lead as the midway point of the third period approached, Barkov capped off his big night by completing the second hat trick of both the season and his career, scoring off his own deflected pass to trigger the tossing of hats and make it 5-3 at 9:13.

With 2:25 left in regulation, Riley Sheahan tapped in an empty-netter to make it 6-3 and send Florida to its eighth win in the last 12 games, with all eight wins coming against playoff teams.
"We're happy, but of course we're not satisfied," Barkov said. "We're not where we want to be yet. If we continue to do that and keep getting better every game, every night, we're going to be good."
Here are five takeaways from Sunday's win in Sunrise…

1. KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Well, that didn't very take long.
Sent to the power play after Domi was whistled for a high-sticking penalty on Mike Hoffman, the Panthers needed just seven seconds before scoring on the man advantage, as Barkov buried a rebound after a long shot from Yandle to make it 1-0 at 3:59 of the first period.

By netting the game's opening tally, Barkov reached the 20-goal plateau for the fourth straight season. In addition to his goal total, the 23-year-old center is producing at a point-per-game clip after a four-point night against Montreal, recording 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 57 games.
"It's nice to get mentioned and recognized, but of course it's all about winning and playing with these guys," Barkov said. "We're trying to win and trying to make the playoffs… It was a good win for us, second in a row against a pretty good team. We're confident right now."

2. TOP-SHELF SWISS

Malgin made this one look easy.
Flying into the offensive zone with the puck on his stick, Malgin stared down a pair of defenders before unleashing a pinpoint wrist shot from the very high slot that flew over Niemi's outstretched glove and into the net to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead at 11:28 of the first period.

In the midst of his third season with Florida, the 22-year-old forward has notched seven goals and seven assists while averaging 12:57 of ice time over 44 games. Heating up as of late, the Swiss-born Malgin has tallied three points (two goals, one assist) over his last five contests.

3. FRANKIE V. MAKES IT THREE

Vatrano sent Niemi packing on Sunday night.
Less than a minute after Domi cut Florida's lead down to 2-1, Vatrano answered with a goal of his own, taking a pass from Barkov and letting loose a one-timer from the slot that bounce off a stick and into the net to put the Panthers up 3-1 at 13:57 of the first period. After the goal, the Canadiens sent Carey Price into the game in relief of Niemi.

Still riding a red-hot streak, Vatrano has tallied nine goals and 14 points over the last 17 games. The 24-year-old winger also paces the club with 19 even-strength goals this season, while having already reached new career-bests in both goals (20) and points (31).
"It's obviously a good accomplishment," Vatrano said of hitting the 20-goal mark for the first time in his NHL career. "But with the guys I'm playing with and this team, I wouldn't be able to do it without them. For me, it's just easy every night to go out there knowing they're going to have my back night in and night out. I've just got to go out there and work hard every single night."

4. JAW-DROPPING

Barkov's second goal was so nice that it deserves its own takeaway.
With time winding down in the second period, Barkov turned on some cheat codes and headed down the ice with speed on a breakaway. With a defender draped over his back, he somehow managed to pull the puck between his legs and flip the puck into the net to make it 4-3 at 17:49.

After watching that filth, most fans likely used the second intermission to take a shower.
"It just happened at the last second," Barkov said of the insane goal. "I was thinking about doing something, going back to my forehand, but then I just realized I should try that. It worked… I've seen those [goals] in the YouTube and in highlights. I was just dreaming about maybe one day scoring that kind of goal. Well, it happened tonight. Of course I'm happy."
The goal also left Barkov's teammates in awe.
"It just shows what a special talent he is," Vatrano said. "It's incredible to see on a day-to-day basis."
"It's incredible how good this guy is," Panthers winger Jonathan Huberdeau said. "He's just so strong with the puck. At first I didn't think he went through his legs. Then I watched it again and I was like, 'Whoa, that was impressive.' He played so good tonight."

5. #MSDSTRONG

The Panthers were playing for more than just themselves on Sunday night.
Prior to puck drop, the team honored the families of many of the 17 victims of last year's tragic shooting that took place at nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, 2018. The families participated in a ceremonial puck drop and were joined on the ice by members of both the Panthers and Canadiens following a touching video tribute and ceremony.

"I heard some of the guys talking about the win and what the night represented and playing hard for the community," Boughner said. "I thought it was a perfect ending. I thought the Panthers did a really good job. It was nice to see the families involved in the ceremony. It hits home with the players and everybody, of course. Maybe that brought a little extra to the start of our game."
The Panthers also unveiled a permanent tribute to #MSDStrong in the team's "Den of Honor," with hand-drawn photos and candles featured in a special case to honor each of the lives lost.
"As somebody who has lived in this building for the last 10 years and understands that this is Panthers royalty here, to know that our loved ones are amongst Panthers royalty forever is unbelievable," said Fred Guttenberg, who lost his 14-year-old daughter Jaime in the shooting.