Barkov Savors 'Every Moment, Every Second' of First All-Star Game

TAMPA -There wasn't much missing from Aleksander Barkov's long-awaited coming out party at NHL All-Star Weekend in Tampa. From puppies to pirates, from a head-turning shootout goal to sharing the bench with some of the league's best players, the Florida Panthers center soaked in every second under the spotlight.

"I love everything," Barkov said of the experience. "Just to be around these guys and meet everybody and see how good of guys they are, it'll be more fun to go forward and play against them now."
Barkov capped off his whirlwind weekend with a pair of assists during the semifinals of the 2018 NHL All-Star Game, helping propel the Atlantic Division to the finals of the always exciting 3-on-3 tournament, where they eventually fell to the Pacific Division by a final score of 5-2.
"It was fun," Barkov said. "I know we lost the last game and we didn't win the whole thing, but it was fun. I enjoyed every moment, every second."
A two-way terror and potential candidate for this year's Selke Trophy, which is awarded annual to the best defensive forward in the NHL, Barkov said the hardest part about the All-Star Game was turning his usual defensive instincts down a few notches in favor of fun.
"For me, it was a little bit tougher," said Barkov, who leads the NHL in shorthanded goals (5) and average ice time among forwards (22:22). "I'm used to playing 100-percent defense, 100-percent offense all the time. Right now, I was in the middle. I didn't now how to play, but of course I enjoyed every moment and I'm happy to be here."
Still, it was Barkov's defense-first mentality that led to his first point of the night.
With the Atlantic down 1-0 early in its semifinal matchup against the Metropolitan, Barkov deftly picked the pocket of Hurricanes defenseman Noah Hanifin in the offensive zone, gaining control of the puck before sending it to Sabres forward Jack Eichel, who then set up Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews for the game-tying goal at 5:30 of the first period.
Barkov picked up the secondary assist on the play.
"You usually don't play defense in these games," said Barkov, smirking. "I got my stick on the puck and a lucky it bounced to those two guys and if they get a chance to score, they won't miss it."
Later, in the second period, Barkov added another assist, setting up Eichel for an easy goal with a pass through the crease to put the Atlantic up 5-4 with 2:20 remaining in regulation. That goal would go on to stand as the eventual game-winner, as the Atlantic defeated the Metropolitan, 7-4, to earn a spot in finals against the Pacific.

"It was really good," said Eichel said of playing alongside Barkov. "He kind of got stuck playing in the back end, but he's probably the best in the d-zone of the three of us. He's got a really long stick. He reads plays well and he's pretty smart. He wins a lot of battles. That's what he did and he got us the puck."
A day before they teamed up during the All-Star Game, it was Eichel that dubbed Barkov the new "shootout king" of the NHL after watching the stickhandling wizard wow the crowd during the All-Star Skills Competition.
In that event, Barkov executed arguably the most impressive goal during the GEICO NHL Save Streak -- a new event in which goaltenders compete to see who can make the most consecutive saves in a shootout-style competition.
Facing down Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Barkov skated towards the crease before faking a one-handed shot with his backhand - a move he used to beat the former Pens goalie with back in 2013. With flashbacks of that goal likely racing through his mind, Fleury bit on the backhand, only to have Barkov send the puck to the other side and score on his forehand.
"What can I say? When I heard that we were going to the shootout I just tried to figure out some move," Barkov said of the goal. "I kind of had that in my head for a while. I tried it once in practice and it worked, so I thought I might try it here. I got lucky that it worked."
For Barkov, that's exactly what All-Star Weekend was about - firsts.
"It's like a dream come true," he said.