Barkov scored for the first time since med-December on Saturday, but despite the goal drought, his production didn't suffer

Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov is likely enjoying his Super Bowl Sunday a little more after his performance on Saturday night.

Barkov picked up a goal and two assists during Florida’s 4-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche at Amerant Bank Arena.

The goal had been a long time coming for Barkov.

Prior to his third period tally, it had been 18 games since Barkov had last tickled the twine.

It came all the way back on Dec. 16. Nearly two months ago.

To his credit, Barkov continued to perform at high-end levels and racked up the assists.

He logged 19 helpers during the 18-game goalless run, and the Panthers didn’t skip a beat, going 13-4-1 in those 18 games.

Nevertheless, the 28-year-old stood at his locker after Saturday’s win and smiled when asked how it felt to light the lamp.

“It was good,” Barkov said through a grin. “It's been a while.”

Putting in the work, setting an example and playing through everything his body can tolerate, Barkov has continued to show why he wears the captain’s “C” on his sweater.

Despite dealing with a lower-body injury that has ailed him for much of the season, the production from Florida’s top line has not waivered, nor has it on the power play.

“He's a big part of Sam Reinhart’s incredible goal scoring year, but his game has been really good,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “The injury slowed him down a little bit, and I thought tonight he came back looking like he was fully healed. He's in the lineup, we're not playing him if he's not (healthy), it's just if you take the time off, it takes a little while to get back going again, and tonight it looked like he was going.”

Barkov and the Panthers will now spend a couple days practicing at the brand new Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale before flying north for a back-to-back in Pittsburgh and Buffalo on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Feeling better physically than he has in a while, perhaps Barkov will be able to help his team reach a new gear on their latest road trip.

Prior to his extended goal drought, Barkov scored five times in an eight-game span. Two weeks before that, four goals in five games.

We all know what he’s capable of.

“It’s all about working hard and trying to shoot the puck,” Barkov said. “We have a great team here, and it doesn't matter who scores the goals, as long as we win and as long as we play the right way.”

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