NHL
Anton Lundell’s First NHL Hat Trick Lifts Panthers Past Jets, 5–2
Florida outshot Winnipeg 38–24, scored twice on the power play and protected its lead after the Jets twice pulled within one goal.
Anton Lundell scored three goals, including an empty-net finish with 1:39 remaining, as the Florida Panthers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5–2 Friday at Amerant Bank Arena.
It was Lundell’s first NHL hat trick, according to the league’s game report. His eight shots led Florida, which improved to 8–4–2. Winnipeg fell to 4–7–3 despite twice cutting a two-goal deficit to one.
Sam Reinhart opened the scoring at 18:15 of the first period. Lundell made it 2–0 at 2:38 of the second, with Seth Jones assisting on both goals before adding a goal of his own later in the period.
Kyle Connor briefly brought Winnipeg within 2–1 at 9:51 of the second. Jones answered at 15:24, restoring Florida’s cushion and giving the defenseman a three-point night. Reinhart collected the assist on that goal to finish with two points. Connor’s goal was his 11th this season; Reinhart registered his seventh for Florida.
Morgan Barron again tightened the game at 8:46 of the third, scoring his first goal of the season. That left the Jets within one until Lundell struck at 13:33, with Lars Eller and Eetu Luostarinen assisting.
Luostarinen also assisted on Lundell’s final goal. The center finished with three of Florida’s five goals in 16:48 of ice time, turning a closely contested third period into a decisive final margin.
Akira Schmid stopped 22 of 24 Winnipeg shots. Nico Daws made 33 saves on 37 shots before the empty-net goal. Florida generated 38 shots overall and won 37 of the game’s 59 faceoffs, controlling more of the available possession from draws.
Special teams also favored the Panthers: Florida converted two of five power plays, while Winnipeg went one for four. The clubs each recorded 25 hits, but the Panthers’ shooting advantage and repeated answers after Winnipeg goals kept the visitors from drawing level.
