The Panthers, who already clinched a playoff berth, win their third consecutive game

In yet another feel-good Florida Panthers game, Aleksander Barkov had the go-ahead goal and the rim-shot comic line of the night.

Asked about defenseman Gustav Forsling — who had two assists, two blocks and four shots on goal in Florida’s 5-4 win over the host Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night — Barkov raved.

“The way he’s been playing,” Barkov said, “we came up with a nickname for him: Bobby Orr-sling.”

Forsling, a 24-year-old Swede with just 41 career points, in no way merits a comparison to Bobby Orr, considered the greatest defenseman in NHL history and a guy who led the league in plus/minus six times in his 10-year career.

But hey, who cares? It was a light-hearted moment from the leader of a team that is having fun exceeding media expectations.

With three games left in the regular season — all of them at home — the Panthers have already clinched their first playoff berth since 2016. They are in second place in the Central Division, two points behind the Carolina Hurricanes, who have two games in hand.

The Panthers have won three games in a row and are 8-2-1 in their past 11 games.

In Saturday’s win over Chicago, the Panthers got two goals and one assist from Anthony Duclair for his first multi-score game of the season. Barkov, Nikita Gusev and Owen Tippett also scored for Florida.

Panthers coach Joel Quenneville is pleased that his team is still playing hard, even thought it will be a couple of weeks until they start “playing for keeps” in the playoffs.

“These guys are being good pros,” Quenneville said. “They are continuing on with good habits and good purpose. They are sending a good message to our younger players.”

The Panthers never trailed in Saturday’s game. Duclair gave them a 1-0 lead on a strong individual effort, carrying the puck for roughly 13 seconds before finally scoring.

Gusev came up with a steal and score for his first goal since the Panthers signed him as a free agent on April 11.

Chicago then tied the score 2-2 on a pair of goals 52 seconds apart, including a power-play tally that was set up by former Panthers winger Brett Connolly.

But Barkov scored with just seven seconds left in the second period on a sweet pass from Bobby Orrsling, er, Gustav Forsling.

Barkov leads the Panthers with 25 goals, including 17 in his past 22 games.

Duclair, who has 10 goals this season, scored his second of the night just 28 seconds into the third period.

“He has some speed,” Quenneville said in what counts as an understatement. “He’s playing well. He had a couple of pretty plays.”

Tippett — Florida’s first-round pick in 2017 — scored just 31 seconds later to give the Panthers a 5-2 lead.

Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves, although he allowed two goals in the game’s final eight minutes, including Dominik Kubalink’s tally with just 18 seconds left.

The Panthers held on from there, and Duclair, interviewed after the game, made some interesting comments to the media.

“This is the best team I’ve played on so far,” said Duclair, who is on his sixth NHL franchise in seven years in the league. “I haven’t had a playoff taste yet.

“[Playing in the playoffs] is a big reason why I signed here. I knew we had a chance because of our depth, and our locker room is pretty special.

“Hopefully I can be here for years to come.”

Duclair was then asked about playing the 200-foot game, combining defense with his forte, which is offense.

Barkov wasn’t mentioned as part of the question, but Duclair brought him up anyway.

“I don’t have to go too far (for an example),” said Duclair, 25. “I look at our captain (Barkov). It’s pretty special to watch him.

“I’m just trying to be in his footsteps. He’s a great leader. Even though we are the same age, he’s a guy I look up to.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Panthers forward Sam Bennett had two assists. He has 13 points — including five goals — in nine games since Florida acquired him from the Calgary Flames.

▪ Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton on the Panthers: “They’re an excellent transition team. They make you pay when you turn it over.”

▪ Florida’s line of Barkov, Duclair and promising rookie Grigori Denisenko combined for six points.

▪ The Panthers’ next game is on Monday night against the visiting Dallas Stars.

This story was originally published May 1, 2021 at 10:43 PM.