“He changed their franchise,” Wayne Gretzky states how Matthew Tkachuk ‘become the face of the Florida Panthers’ in recent year

Wayne Gretzky praised Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov for leading Panthers in their game against Hurricanes with a 2-1 victory.

“He changed their franchise,” Wayne Gretzky states how Matthew Tkachuk ‘become the face of the Florida Panthers’ in recent year

Wayne Gretzky praises Matthew Tkachuk [Image Credit: NHL/NESN]

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky praised Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov for their extraordinary game against Carolina Hurricanes. Getting praised by ‘The Great One’ is an honor itself, as Barkov noted, “It’s nice to hear” him praise.

In the past few games, two players’ names continued to pop up in glory. One being Tkachuk, and the second being, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Now Barkov has also joined the group following last game’s through-the-legs fake and backhand goal.

YouTube video

Barkov’s spectacular 2nd-period goal drew the highest praise possible from the NHL legend himself, and needless to say, from the fans too. His crucial goal tied the Panthers 1-1 with 12:17 seconds left in Game 2. His goal not only tied the game but also set up for Tkachuk’s OT winner at PNC Arena. The Panthers won against the Hurricanes in a 2-1 victory.

FS Video

Related: WATCH: Wayne Gretzky OBLITERATES Leafs following Paul Bissonnette’s jab at Oilers playoff exit at NHL on TNT

Wayne Gretzky praises Aleksander Barkov for his backhanded goal against Hurricanes

Wayne Gretzky praises Aleksander Barkov [Image Credit: Page Six/Jatkoaika]
Wayne Gretzky praises Aleksander Barkov [Image Credit: Page Six/Jatkoaika]

Praising Matthew Tkachuk, ‘The Great One’ stated, “He’s kind of become the face of the Florida Panthers.” He further stated that there are many good players in the team and they played decently in the regular season, but Tkachuk has undoubtedly “changed their franchise, let’s be honest.”

Tkachuk was also highly praised for their Game 1 victory as he ended their long 4-OT skid. The game became NHL’s 6th longest in playoff finals. Aleksander Barkov stated that before Tkachuk joined the Cats, he was one of those players one would hate to face. 

But following his joining, he has not only become one of the top players but he is also “one of the nicest guys” on the team. The Panthers traded Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar to the Flames to sign Tkachuk to an 8-year $76 million contract.

On Sunday, Wayne Gretzky highly praised Barkov’s backhanded goal stating that it was “one of the greatest moves” he has ever seen in playoff hockey, as per the Miami Herald. Usually, these types of moves are seen in practices or general games, not in an adrenaline-rushed playoff series.

Furthermore, Barkov revealed that it was not his first time doing so. He’s been practicing this on ice or when he goes back home. He stated that the move was back in his mind and he just went with the flow, “You just do it.” 

He was grateful that it came to his mind during this crucial time. Cats goaltending coach Robb Tallas told Paul Maurice that he had seen Barkov performing the maneuver on the ice.

In case you missed:

Red Bulls and Pizza – Panthers’ unique diet helps OT win against Hurricanes in playoff finals Game 1

WATCH: Matthew once AGAIN leads Panthers to OT win against Hurricanes in Game 2 with 2-1 record