Panthers’ Tkachuk on Barkov: ‘He’s the best player in the world’

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov may not be nominated for this year’s Hart Trophy, but he’s still getting Matthew Tkachuk‘s vote.

After the Panthers eliminated the Boston Bruins with a 2-1 win in Game 6, Tkachuk had some high praise for Florida’s leader.

“I don’t really have the words for what he’s doing for our team right now,” Tkachuk said post-game. “He’s playing the best hockey in the world right now. He’s the best player in the world right now.”

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Barkov was held without a point in Game 6, but he made his presence felt in other ways.

The Panthers captain put his body on the line and made a goal-saving block with his hand with the game tied 1-1 in the third. He had to briefly leave the ice but would return to help the Panthers close out the game after a late Gustav Forsling goal put them up 2-1.

“He’s scored all the goals, he’s made all the plays, he’s had the puck the whole series,” Tkachuk said. “But I think that shot block shows the completion of his game. The goal saved the game.”

In 11 games this post-season, Barkov has recorded five goals and eight assists for 13 points and helped the Panthers reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight year.

The Panthers will need more of the same from Barkov if they hope to down the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers in Round 3.

But clearly, Tkachuk is confident they will have the best player in the series.

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