Weekend Warrior: Aleksander Barkov

Weekend Warrior: Aleksander Barkov

The race for Weekend Warrior was interesting after Saturday’s action. Six players found the back of the net twice and six players posted three-point nights, but all their efforts were in vain. Our winner did them one better, scoring one of the best goals of the season on his way to his second career hat trick and adding an assist for good measure. So take a bow, Aleksander Barkov, you are this week’s Weekend Warrior.

Barkov was shooting early and often, finishing with a game-high seven shots on net. He opened the scoring with a goal early in the first, before adding the game-winner in the second period and one more in the third for good measure. The game-clinching goal in particular was a thing of beauty.

The Panthers have struggled this season, but Barkov has thrived in his first season as captain. He leads the team in points and has established himself as a perennial candidate for the Selke trophy. He’s also collected just a single minor penalty all season, despite having one of the most active sticks in the NHL. But last night was all about offense and so, for his second career hat trick, both of which came this season, we didn’t have any choice but to award him the prestigious Weekend Warrior award.