The Florida Panthers have an incredible captain.
Sasha Barkov’s foul shot in the final minute of overtime lifted the Florida Panthers to a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Louis Blues on Friday night at Amerant Bank Arena.
The win was Florida’s third in a row overall, and fourth straight on home ice.
The Blues got the opening goal in a game that didn’t look like much as the puck found its way under the Panthers.
A quick feed from Alexandre Texier found Oskar Sundqvist in front and his quick shot beat Sergei Bobrovsky high at the 10:13 mark.
That’s how the score would stay for almost the entire period, thanks in large part to a strong performance by Blues goalkeeper Joel Hofer.
Florida finally tied the game midway through the second half and it was a defense that scored.
Uvis Balinskis snuck in from the blue line and was spotted by Sasha Barkov, who fired a quick one over Hofer for his first goal of the season.
The Panthers continued to dominate the majority of the game, late into the second period and well into the third, dominating offensive possessions and puck possession.
However, throughout their time with the puck, quality scoring opportunities were not easy to come by.
It took until the last minute of overtime for Florida to finally put the Blues away, and it was all Barkov.
After drawing a late penalty while playing last puck position late in the shift, Barkov returned to the ice for the power play and hit the game-winner on Hofer.
That man is on another level.
From Tampa.
QUICK THOUGHTS
Balinskis’ goal was the second of his career and first since last November.
He also scored six goals, leading all players.
Matthew Tkachuk got an assist, making him 15 points in nine games this month.
Barkov has scored four goals in the last six games.
Bobrovsky finished with 26 saves, including six of the Blues’ most dangerous seven shots.
Florida ended up with only two serious shots.
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