The Florida Panthers desperately needed a win.
Sasha Barkov’s shootout magic got it for them.
Barkov’s goal in a shootout Friday night lifted the Panthers to a thrilling 4-3 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Barkov’s seventh tally in 10 tries was the only score in the skills competition, and it moved the Panthers within five points of a playoff spot with 12 games to play.
There’s still an enormous hill to climb, but Florida’s hanging on.
“I didn’t know what to do at first, but when I got closer to the net I saw some space on the glove side, and I tried to put it in there,” Barkov said.