Huberdeau & Barkov: Human Highlight Reels

Florida Panthers forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Sasha Barkov are best friends, point per game stars and masters of geometry.
On Tuesday night, Barkov and Huberdeau provided the cutting edge late in the third period to put the game away.

The goal was easy on the eyes, another masterpiece from the Panthers red-hot top line that powered the Panthers to their ninth victory in 13 games since forward Vincent Trocheck returned from injury on January 18. In fact, Barkov suggested after the game that Huberdeau's goal was even nicer than the
headline grabbing, play of the night meriting, jaw dropping, through-the-legs breakaway goal
he scored over the weekend.
"I think it was even nicer than mine, for sure," said Barkov. "I mean, beating like three of their guys and the goalie too… a little bit better celly [celebration] than mine, too."
Here's the frame-by-frame breakdown of how Barkov and Huberdeau confused the opposition and created one of the sweetest on-the-cycle goals you'll see in the NHL this season.
Huberdeau initiated the sequence that punctured Buffalo's defensive shape by skating around the net, while holding off big Sabres defender Rasmus Ristolainen (wearing #55 behind the net):

As Huberdeau circles the net and comes out along the half wall, he draws in Sabres star Jack Eichel, who joins Ristolainen and moves in to 'cut off the top' and prevent a pass up top to one of Florida's defensemen. Out of frame, Florida's top-scoring defensive duo of All-Star Keith Yandle and perennial 10-goal scorer Aaron Ekblad are on the ice, creating a gravity that Eichel reacts to, and creating the space for Huberdeau to echolocate Barkov.

In the above frame you can see Barkov move to fill the open space vacated by Ristolainen covering Huberdeau. The LeBron James-esque back pass that Huberdeau uses to solve the double team won't make it onto a highlight reel, but it's a high-end dish:

Huberdeau's back pass is subtle, but it's crucial, and sets up a mismatch with a Sabres winger defending Barkov down low with no help coming, since the other Sabres defender left in the slot is unable to leave Frank Vatrano unchecked:

Barkov has no trouble making his way to the other side of the ice, while Huberdeau rushes back to support, beating the Sabres defender back to his bestie:

There's a handoff between Barkov and Huberdeau, and as the Sabres defenseman takes Barkov, Huberdeau is left with the entire left circle to attack. The Panthers stars have taken a can opener to Buffalo's in-zone defense:

The result, is hockey magic:

Scoring highlight reel goals, helping the team win games and doing it all with your best pal? Life doesn't get much better than that!