Aleksander Barkov came through in the clutch, scoring a power-play goal with just 18 seconds left in overtime to lift the Florida Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Friday night. The thrilling finish marked Barkov’s 10th goal of the season and capped off a hard-fought battle between the two teams.
The game opened with the Blues striking first as Oskar Sundqvist notched his third goal of the season midway through the first period. Florida equalized in the second period when Uvis Balinskis scored his first goal of the season, with assists from Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk.
Both teams battled through a scoreless third period, and the game remained deadlocked until overtime. The decisive moment came when Brayden Schenn was called for tripping Barkov with 42.3 seconds left in the extra frame. On the ensuing power play, Barkov found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stood tall, stopping 26 shots, while Joel Hofer made 25 saves in a strong effort for St. Louis.
Defenseman Philip Broberg returned to the lineup after missing Thursday’s game in Tampa Bay due to illness.
Head coach Jim Montgomery praised center Alexandre Texier for his performance against the Lightning, rewarding him with another start. Texier delivered with an assist on Sundqvist’s goal.
The organization continues to celebrate its Stanley Cup legacy, distributing championship rings to longtime supporters. On Friday, 158 season-ticket holders who have been with the team for 30 years were honored as Legacy members.
Barkov’s late-game heroics were set up by Schenn’s tripping penalty in overtime, giving Florida the man advantage. The Panthers captain capitalized on the opportunity, ensuring his team left the ice with two points.
Blues coach Jim Montgomery is now one of 37 coaches to have led three different franchises against the Panthers, joining a list that includes Florida’s own Paul Maurice.
The Blues wrap up their three-game road trip in Detroit on Monday. The Panthers face a back-to-back series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, starting Sunday in Tampa before returning home on Monday.
This game showcased the resilience of both teams, but it was Barkov’s composure and skill under pressure that ultimately decided the contest.
