Life for the Florida Panthers is never easy without Aleksander Barkov. When their All-Star center is in the lineup, the Panthers play like a team headed to the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. When Barkov’s not, they play like one of the worst teams in the NHL.
They felt much of the usual struggle Friday against the San Jose Sharks in Sunrise, but did just enough to pull out a 4-1 win in exactly the sort of game they can’t afford to lose in their quest to reach the postseason.
They even won because of play from his usual line.
