The Captain is Back: Barkov ‘Felt Good’ in First Game with Panthers Since 2025
· Yahoo Sports
The Florida Panthers missed Sasha Barkov, and he certainly missed the Panthers.
On Tuesday night, Barkov played in his first NHL game since Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final after missing the entirety of last season after blowing out his right knee on his first on-ice practice of training camp.
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It has been just a few days past the one-year anniversary of the injury and the subsequent surgery.
Any thoughts Barkov would ease himself back into action went out the window months ago.
The Panthers watched Barkov dominate at the IIHF World Championship this summer with great glee.
They knew they were getting their captain back at full power when he returned for camp this year.
Perhaps an even better version, if there is such a thing.
“I can make a lot more mistakes on the bench when he’s in the lineup,’’ Paul Maurice said Tuesday after the Panthers beat the Hurricanes 1-0 in overtime to kick off the new season.
”It’s all of it. He plays hard, and it’s not just on one side of the puck. He’s not just an offensive player, but he can generate, and he can defend. He’s our leader, our cultural leader as well. He’s just such a fine human.’’
On Tuesday, Barkov played 20:32 on 26 shifts, second-most among forwards behind linemate Sam Reinhart (20:57).
Barkov also had a shot off two attempts with a blocked shot.
He looked right at home.
“It was great, just a little different,’’ Barkov said. “The speed of the game is really fast. I missed a whole season, and coming here for the first one, I knew it would be a fast-paced game. I think we did a good job, and I am happy with that.
”I feel good, haven’t had any problems with overthinking or anything like that. Just trying to play my game, trying to do my things. I am playing with really good players, and that helps me a lot.’’
ON DECK: GAME No. 2
FLORIDA PANTHERS at SAN JOSE SHARKS- When: Thursday, 10 p.m.
- Where: SAP Center; San Jose, Calif.
- Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
- Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
- Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM. Radio Streaming: SiriusXM, NHL App
- Last Season: San Jose won 2-0
- This Season — At Florida: Feb. 21. At San Jose: Thursday
- All-time Regular Season Series: Florida leads 25-15-1, 7 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Sunday at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.
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