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2023 NHL All-Star Game/Sunrise

FHN TODAY: Tkachuk Gets Sunrise MVP at NHL All-Star Game

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Matthew Tkachuk and Sasha Barkov of the Florida Panthers warm up before the 2023 NHL All-Star Game at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise. Tkachuk earned MVP honors with four goals and seven points. — Photo courtesy @FlaPanthers

SUNRISE — Matthew Tkachuk brought his best to the NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, scoring four goals with seven points in two games as the Florida Panthers took center stage.



Although Florida captain Sasha Barkov did not score in the game, he seemed quite content to help feed the Tkachuk brothers as the Atlantic Division won its first All-Star Game — and was the first host team to win — since the format changed in 2016.

Tkachuk also became the 10th player to be named MVP in the All-Star Game his team hosted.

The Atlantic team will split $1 million for its win Saturday with Tkachuk taking home a new Honda Pilot for being named MVP over Detroit’s Dylan Larkin.

‘’Being able to play with Barky and with Brady on the same line, it was fun from the start,” said Tkachuk, who was teammates with his younger brother for the first time.

“We had a pretty funny group on the bench and that made for a pretty fun day. … For (Barkov) to be able to put up with myself and Brady all day, he should have been MVP.”

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FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW

Barkov got a little good-natured ribbing for playing some defense in his first All-Star Game back in 2018.

He said he would not do that again on Saturday in Sunrise — and sort of lived up to that promise.

— The Tkachuk Brothers grew up competing against each other growing up in St. Louis, but Saturday in South Florida, they were on the same team for the first time.

Looked pretty good, too.

Roberto Luongo, Tkachuk and Barkov showed out in the All-Star Skills competition on Friday night.

It needed that.

Anthony Duclair says the time off to rehab his Achilles injury did some good as he kicked off his new foundation on Thursday night in Fort Lauderdale.

— The Florida Panthers’ Alumni Game in Coral Springs was a really nice appetizer for the All-Star Weekend.

— There is a TON of new video up on the FHN YouTube Channel from this past week. We mean it.

Just from Saturday, there is NHL commissioner Gary Bettman with Bill Daly, Panthers’ president Matt Caldwell, Barkov with Tkachuk and so much more.

Then there is Friday’s Skills Competition.

We also have media day stuff from the Panthers as well as Alumni Game comments from Luongo, Keith Yandle and Peter Worrell.

Click RIGHT HERE to see everything all in one place and if you hit subscribe (it’s free), you will know when new content comes up.

Guess what? More is coming today!

NATIONAL HOCKEY NOW

Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins had more than a few nice moments with Alex Ovechkin this weekend as the two old rivals seem to appreciate their time together more and more.

— Speaking of the Penguins, what trade chips do they have moving forward?

— The Washington Capitals signed Sonny Milano to a three-year deal this weekend.

— Now that the All-Star Game is over, Bo Horvat is ready to get going with the New York Islanders.

— The Boston Bruins do not have a contract with David Pastrnak after this season but he says he is not worried. Nor should he be.

— The Calgary Flames are looking for a winger, and one of the names is quite familiar to us here in South Florida.

PANTHERS ON DECK

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING AT FLORIDA PANTHERS

  • When: Monday, 7 p.m.
  • Where: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise
  • TV/Streaming: Bally Sports Florida; ESPN+
  • Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM 2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
  • Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932
  • Season Series (Tampa Bay leads 2-0): Lightning 3, @Panthers 2 OT (Oct. 22); Lightning 4, Panthers 1 (Dec. 10)
  • Last season: Split four regular season games; Tampa won second-round playoff series 4-0
  • All-time regular season series: Florida leads 73-50-19, 10 ties
  • Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday vs. San Jose Sharks, 7 p.m.

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