SUMMARY

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Canadian’s power play eventually had a good game but the power play let him down.

Alexander Barkov scored three goals in the first half and added two assists to help the Florida Panthers beat Montreal 7-2 at FLA Live Arena on Thursday.

Barkov was back in action after three games with a lower body injury. The game was only 15:22 when the Panthers captain completed his hat trick.

Only one of Barkov’s goals came on the power play, however Matthew Tkachuk added two goals for the Panthers at this stage of the game. Tkachuk also racked up two assists during the game.

“We’re dealing with a good power play,” emphasized CH head coach Martin St-Louis. They use different strategies. We must continue to learn in our concepts of numerical inferiority and avoid a rupture. But against these teams, once you anticipate the bad game, they will find the opening. »

Josh Andersonon the power play and Arber Xhekajat the very end a penalty for the Panthers, scored for the Canadian (15-18-3)who suffered their fourth loss in a row (0-3-1). Samuel Montembault Made 34 saves.

Xhekaj noted that it doesn’t take much for a player of Aleksander Barkov’s caliber to damage an opponent.

“He’s one of the best players in the league. If you give him some leeway, he’ll make you pay, and he did that tonight. »

Carter Verhaeghe and Eetu Luostarinen also scored for Panthers (16-16-4)ending a three-game losing streak. Brandon Montor garnered two assists and Sergei Bobrovsky held 25 shots.

the attacker Brendan Gallagher was back in action for the Canadiens after missing 13 games with an upper-body injury. Evgeni Dadonov was also added to the cast while leaving out Michael Pezzetta and Anthony Richard.

The defender Kaiden Guhle retired early to the dressing room after falling under the weight of Barkov late in the third period. Apparently he injured his right leg.

The Canadian will play his next game on Saturday at 4pm when he visits the Washington Capitals.

Barkov’s case

The Panthers quickly launched hostilities. Barkov was credited with his first goal of the game 2:37 into the game when a shot went off Gustav Forsling deviated on his right skate before landing in the goal.

Barkov came back 8-10 to go for the power play in the first third. He conceded a cross pass Sam Reinhartthen Montembeault outmaneuvered with a precise shot.

The Canadian responded when a shot from Xhekaj surprised Bobrovsky with 5:46 left, right after a penalty Radko Gudas.

Barkov, on the other hand, completed his hat-trick 68 seconds later. He recovered a comeback and backhanded Montembeault.

Once again, the second power play session revived the Canadian before the engagement ended. Anderson capitalized on a comeback after a one-timer Mike Hoffman.

The Panthers’ power play matched the Canadians’, while Tkachuk made it 4-2 in the home team’s favor after a 6-22 in the second period. He deflected a shot from Montour behind Montembeault after the Habs were penalized for having too many players on the rink.

The Canadian was limited to two shots on target in the second period and required four minutes of play before scoring for the first time in the final period.

To make matters worse, the Panthers widened the gap to 5:2 a few seconds later at 4:16. Verhaeghe took advantage of a turnover to stage a two-for-one attack and smack Montembeault with a precise shot over the right shoulder.

Tkachuk, back on the power play, then Luostarinen then turned the iron in the wound.

Towards the end of the meeting things got even worse. Canadian defender Joel Edmundson was sent back to the dressing room after a tough counter check against Gudas. Gallagher threw the gloves away in front of Montour a little later.