I don’t understand the few people here who criticize Barkov constantly for not scoring more. Would they rather that he was like Verhaeghe?
A singular focus on just the last shot of the puck that ends in the net, with no evaluation of what came before the shot, not just on that shift, but during the game, is shortsighted. And frankly, the wrong take.
Even on Tkachuk’s tying goal, Barkov is the guy who kept the puck alive along the boards. A super play to keep the puck in the zone. Barkov’s efforts like that are what allows possession to continue and therefore for guys like Tkachuk to not run around but go to the goal. Of course it’s not just Barkov who’s making good plays like that, but there’s a lead up that enables scorers to do what they’re best at.
Earlier in the game, Barkov found Duke alone in front, but Duke couldn’t finish. Barkov also fought through Piet’s check to create a bad-angle mini 2-on-1. People blame him for passing when Hill had the short side completely covered. Even Verhaeghe wouldn’t have scored from there. And I won’t even mention all the defensive plays. Also counted at least two occasions where Barkov fought off two Vegas guys who were holding way worse than the Ekblad penalty. No call.
Honestly, Barky gets no love here unless he scores. None of the other stuff seems to count. It’s baffling. But if he went down, the truth would come out, everyone would agree that we can’t win anymore.
If this was soccer, Barkov is like Messi or Zidane while Tkachuk is like Ronaldo or Mbappe. Fantastic to have BOTH on the team.
