The greatest player in Florida Panthers history now has statistical validation to go along with his reputation: Aleksander Barkov is the franchise’s all-time points leader and his record-setting assist teed up the game-winning goal in another huge victory.
The All-Star center set a new club record with 614 points Monday, taking sole possession of the all-time lead with a second-period assist against the Detroit Red Wings. It led to the decisive goal in the Panthers’ 5-2 win and the victory moved Florida into sole possession of the second wild card.
The record-setting assist was a fitting one: Florida strung together a long possession in the Red Wings’ zone and Barkov, with his two-way play and puck-possession abilities, made it happen. He beat Detroit to loose puck behind the net, made a smart pass to forward Sam Reinhart behind the net and then drew the defense’s attention to open up a passing lane to get the puck to Gustav Forsling. The defenseman scored to put the Panthers up 3-1 with 8:27 left in the second period and the Red Wings never closed the gap at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
