Lundell hat trick helps Florida edge Winnipeg 5-2

Anton Lundell scored three goals to lead the Florida Panthers to a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night in Sunrise, Florida.

Lundell completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal in the final minute, giving Florida its fifth hat trick of the season. The win marked the Panthers' sixth victory in their last eight games. Seth Jones finished the night with one goal and two assists, bringing his October total to 18 points.

Jones' 18 points, comprised of two goals and 16 assists, set a new franchise record for the most points by a Florida defenseman in a single month. He surpassed Keith Yandle, who recorded 17 points for the team in March 2018. Sam Reinhart provided the other goal for Florida.

The Jets, who are winless in their last eight games with two losses and two ties, fell to 0-2 in a home-and-home series against Florida. Kyle Connor scored his 11th goal of the season for Winnipeg. Morgan Barron added his first goal of the season midway through the third period, but Lundell's second goal of the night restored Florida's lead.

A physical altercation between Bokondji Imama of Florida and Tyrel Bauer of Winnipeg occurred just 2 minutes and 4 seconds into the game. The two fighters engaged for over a minute, mirroring a previous fight they had in the American Hockey League in 2024. Both players exchanged a nod after the brawl ended.

Florida goalkeeper Akira Schmid stopped 22 shots. The Panthers are missing forwards Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand due to injuries. Coach Paul Maurice said both players resumed skating this week. He estimated Marchand could return in about three weeks and Barkov in about four weeks.

The Panthers had played only three home games before Friday, the fewest in the National Hockey League. More than half of the league had played at least seven home games by that date. The Jets will visit Carolina on Sunday, while Florida will host Detroit on Monday night.