Returning to the lineup after missing three games with a lower-body injury, Barkov led the charge on offense for the Panthers in their first game back from the holiday break. Matching a career high with five points, his first-period hat trick put the Panthers up early over Montreal.
One of just six different players in franchise history to register three goals in a single period, Barkov's hat trick, which came during the first 15:22 of the first period, was the fastest ever to start a game in Cats history, besting Steve Reinprecht's previous franchise record of 15:49.
"He just changes all parts of your game," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said when asked about Barkov's impact in the win. "Take the five points aside, he's still going to take the faceoffs on the power play and faceoffs on the penalty kill that are critical. He keeps the minutes down for everybody so there's more energy off the bench. He's such a dynamic man."
Also getting in on the action against the Canadiens, Matthew Tkachuk posted three points -- including netting a pair of goals on the power play -- while Carter Verhaeghe and Eetu Luostarinen each lit the lamp in the third period to help the Panthers lock down the victory.
In net, Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 of 27 shots.
With the win, the Panthers improved to 16-16-4.
"I think we played exactly how we wanted," Barkov said. "Keep playing that way and keep building every game. Just keep playing the right way. Tomorrow's going to be a tough game as well. We've got to think about that and bring the same energy we had today."
Leading the Metropolitan Division at 23-6-6, the Hurricanes extended their winning streak to nine games thanks to a 24-save shutout from Antti Raanta against the Blackhawks in their last outing. Providing more than enough goal support, Martin Necas, Jesper Fast and Jordan Martinook all lit the lamp in the 3-0 win.
During their streak, the Hurricanes have outscored the opposition 32-17. Spreading out the offense, 14 different players have scored at least one goal during the streak, with Jordan Staal and Stefan Noesen netting a team-high four goals apiece.
Overall, Martin Necas leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists), while Andrei Svechnikov is second in points (31) and first in goals (18). Not too far behind on the scoring leaderboard, Sebastian Aho ranks third with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists).
In the early-season running for the Calder Trophy, rookie goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has posted a 10-1-4 record with a .928 save percentage and three shutouts in net for Carolina.
Facing off for the second time this season, the Panthers secured a 3-0 win over the Hurricanes in their first meeting back on Nov. 9 at FLA Live Arena behind a 40-save shutout from Spencer Knight, who will likely man the crease in this matchup after Bobrovsky started on Thursday.
"It's going to look different when you play Carolina, but how we play and our mindset needs to stay the same," Maurice said.
