Though Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice poured chilly water on his group, one factor is for sure: Aleksander Barkov is a serious part of the group’s success.
Throughout the morning skate, the pinnacle coach defined why Florida has no ego in its dressing room.
“I believe that is all Barkov,” Maurice stated Wednesday, the morning after Florida’s 5-2 win in Recreation 1. “Really, in the event you did not know the face, in the event you walked into that locker room, or walked on the airplane, or watched him, you could not inform who the star was.”
It is laborious for a group to not have a selfless celebrity. In spite of everything, the highlight is all the time on that particular person. Nevertheless, in Barkov’s case, he desires to be the very best teammate and participant he could be.
Fortunately for the Panthers, they observe his instance. Even with buying and selling for Brad Marchand, the group continues to be Barkov’s. In spite of everything, he’s the longest-tenured participant on the group.
For 11 seasons, he is seen the great, unhealthy, and the very ugly. He understands what a second like this implies. Additionally, seeing the pitfalls of a franchise gives him with a novel perspective.
Paul Maurice sees Aleksander Barkov because the Panthers’ engine
Regardless of the wide selection of expertise and potential on the roster, Barkov retains them grounded. Once more, his expertise with the franchise instills a lot respect from his teammates.
To not point out, Barkov caught up for his Panthers’ teammate, Sam Bennett, after a nasty hit. It was one thing he did not need to do, however did it anyway.
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Anybody will take heed to his phrases, particularly when the Finnish skater is representing the group to the media. To not point out, Barkov additionally had an efficient message for his group regardless of being down 2-0 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Florida then received the sequence in seven video games, and confirmed its elite psychological toughness and hockey acumen on the ice.
Getting the fellows mentally prepared is not any straightforward activity, and Barkov appeared to do it with ease. Both approach, the Panthers have a troublesome sequence with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Regardless of being up 1-0 within the sequence, Carolina made fast work of the New Jersey Devils and the Washington Capitals. They will not go down and not using a struggle.
Nevertheless, expertise counts, and Barkov has loads of that. His perception and being within the thick of a wrestle can enable the group to rally round that.
Three extra wins and they’re again within the Stanley Cup Remaining.