Panthers Drop Jets 5-2 as Lundell Hat Trick Powers Sixth Win in Eight Games
Seth Jones broke the franchise record for points by a defenseman in a single month while Florida snapped Winnipeg's eight-game winless streak.
By Giovanni Serrano ·
The Florida Panthers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Friday night in Sunrise, marking their sixth victory in the last eight contests. Anton Lundell recorded a hat trick, contributing three of the five goals for the home team. Seth Jones finished the game with one goal and two assists, securing a decisive win over a struggling opponent.
Jones concluded October with 18 points, comprising two goals and 16 assists. That total broke the record for most points by a Florida defenseman in a single month. The previous benchmark was 17 points, set by Keith Yandle for the Panthers in March 2018.
Sam Reinhart also scored for Florida. For Winnipeg, Kyle Connor netted his team-best 11th goal of the season. The Jets dropped both games in their home-and-home series against Florida this week. They are now winless in their last eight games, with a record of 0-6-2.
Morgan Barron scored the Jets' only other goal midway through the third period, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Lundell restored Florida's two-goal advantage with his second goal of the night. He completed the hat trick with an empty-netter with 1:39 remaining in the game. This was the fifth hat trick for the Panthers this season.
Akira Schmid made 22 saves for Florida. The team is currently without forwards Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand due to injuries. Coach Paul Maurice stated that Marchand could return in about three weeks and Barkov in about four. Both players resumed skating this week.
Bokondji Imama of the Panthers and Tyrel Bauer of the Jets engaged in a fight just 2:04 into the game. The altercation lasted more than one minute and mirrored a previous bout between the two in the AHL in 2024. They exchanged a respectful nod at the conclusion of the exchange.
The Panthers had played only three home games entering Friday, the fewest in the NHL. More than half of the league had logged at least seven home games by that point. Winnipeg plays at Carolina on Sunday, while Florida hosts Detroit on Monday night.
Source: WSVN
