Jets Rally Late to Stun Panthers 2-1 in Sunrise
The Florida Panthers had their chances. They had the lead.
They had the crowd. But in the final stretch of Saturday’s game, the Winnipeg Jets had the answers-and that was enough to flip the script in a 2-1 comeback win at Amerant Bank Arena.
This one stings for Florida. It was just their third game on home ice in recent weeks, and the first of a three-game homestand.
Despite missing key forwards Brad Marchand (undisclosed) and Anton Lundell (upper body), the Panthers came out with purpose and executed a solid game plan through the first two periods. But in the third?
Winnipeg found another gear-and Florida couldn’t match it.
Let’s rewind to how this unfolded.
Luostarinen Strikes First
Florida opened the scoring late in the first period thanks to a sharp sequence that started just as they came off a power play. With Jets defenseman Logan Stanley racing out of the penalty box after serving two minutes for cross-checking Mackie Samoskevich, the Panthers took advantage of the brief window of space.
Evan Rodrigues controlled the puck at the blue line and spotted Eetu Luostarinen wide open in the right circle. Luostarinen didn’t hesitate-he let loose a blistering wrist shot that beat Jets goalie Eric Comrie clean over the glove. The goal came at 14:40 of the first and gave Florida the early edge they were looking for.
Through two periods, the Panthers held firm. Sergei Bobrovsky made timely saves, the defense stayed structured, and Florida looked like a team in control-even without two of their top forwards.
Jets Flip the Switch in the Third
But Winnipeg wasn’t done. Not even close.
Midway through the third, the Jets finally broke through. Gabe Vilardi made a slick move to get to the net, drawing defenders and opening up space. The puck bounced loose in front, and Cole Perfetti-flying in from the wing-pounced on the rebound and buried it past Bobrovsky to tie the game at 1-1 with 8:34 remaining.
That shifted the momentum. Florida, who had been managing the game well, suddenly found themselves on their heels.
And then came the dagger.
With just 4:14 left on the clock, Winnipeg executed a textbook zone entry that left the Panthers scrambling. Gus Nyquist hit Kyle Connor in stride, and Connor wasted no time threading a pass to the back post, where Mark Scheifele was waiting. The veteran center tapped it in for the go-ahead-and ultimately game-winning-goal.
It was the kind of late-game sequence that championship-caliber teams execute. Quick passes, smart positioning, and a clinical finish. For Florida, it was a breakdown at the worst possible time.
Looking Ahead
For the Panthers, this one will feel like a missed opportunity. They played well enough to win, especially given the absences in their lineup. But in the NHL, good stretches don’t always translate to points if you can’t close the door late.
Now it’s on to the Sabres, as Florida looks to regroup and get back in the win column during this critical homestand.
The effort is there. The execution-especially late-needs to be sharper.