Anton Lundell recorded a hat trick and Seth Jones set a Florida defensive record as the Panthers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Friday night. The victory handed the reeling Jets their eighth consecutive loss at Amerant Bank Arena as Winnipeg continues to search for answers during a difficult early-season slump.
The Winnipeg Jets left Florida facing persistent questions after a 5-2 defeat to the Florida Panthers dropped their record to 4-7-3 overall. The loss marks eight straight defeats for a Winnipeg squad that opened the campaign with a 3-0-1 start before hitting a severe wall. For Florida, the night belonged to a surging offense and a record-breaking performance from the blue line. Florida’s Bokondji Imama and Winnipeg’s Tyrel Bauer dropped the gloves just 2:04 into the opening period, engaging in a physical confrontation that served as a re-enactment of their widely discussed minor-league clash from 2024. The two combatants traded blows for over a minute before offering a respectful nod to each other once the altercation concluded.
Lundell Scores Hat Trick as Jones Breaks Points Record
Anton Lundell led the charge with his first career hat trick, capping his night with an empty-net goal with 1:39 remaining on the clock. The Panthers also saw standout play from Seth Jones, who contributed a goal and two assists to finish October with 18 points. That total broke the record for the most points by a Florida defenseman in any calendar month, surpassing Keith Yandle’s mark of 17 points set in March 2018. Lundell opened his scoring sequence in the second period with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle past the goaltender’s glove side.
Sam Reinhart added a goal and an assist for the Panthers, opening the scoring at 18:15 of the first period by driving down the left side and beating the netminder to the far post. Panthers coach Paul Maurice noted that forwards Brad Marchand and Aleksander Barkov resumed skating during the week, with Marchand potentially returning in approximately three weeks and Barkov in four. In goal, Akira Schmid turned away 22 shots to earn his third straight win between the pipes, drawing praise from his coach for his steady upward trajectory.
Nico Daws Makes First Start for Winnipeg
Goaltender Nico Daws made his first start for the Jets, stopping 33 shots in the losing effort. Daws arrived in Winnipeg following an October 23 trade that sent three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils for the goaltender. Hellebuyck secured a victory on the same night for his new club, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights.
Morgan Barron added his first goal of the year in the third period following a hard-won battle along the boards by Dawson Mercer, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Barron noted the frustration within the locker room as the team attempts to halt its downward spiral.
It was great to kinda get us back in the game and bring it back to within one, but then it kinda dissipates pretty quickly. Not much feels too good right now. We’re trying to get out of this slump and obviously these points are really important.
Morgan Barron, Winnipeg forward
Scott Arniel Evaluates the Battle and the Road Ahead
Jets head coach Scott Arniel pointed to a more competitive effort compared to previous outings, highlighting an improved battle level along the boards and during 50-50 puck contests. Nevertheless, the team remains stuck in an 0-6-2 skid over its past eight games.
I obviously don’t like the ending or the score. But we talked about it last night, we came out and we battled.
Scott Arniel, Winnipeg head coach
Arniel acknowledged that finding a way to secure two points remains the primary hurdle for a roster trying to regain its footing. The schedule offers no respite for the visitors, who travel directly to North Carolina for an afternoon matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.