Jones Shatters Franchise Record as Panthers Extend Streak Over Slumping Jets

The Florida Panthers capitalized on a historic defensive performance to defeat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Friday night. The victory marks the sixth win for Florida in its last eight contests, while the Jets have lost both games in their home-and-home series against the Panthers this week.

Seth Jones broke the franchise record for points by a Florida defenseman in a single month. He finished October with 18 points, consisting of two goals and 16 assists. This surpasses the previous mark of 17 points set by Keith Yandle in March 2018.

Anton Lundell recorded his third hat trick of the season. He scored his final goal with 1:39 remaining in an empty-netter. Sam Reinhart also added a goal for the Panthers, who are playing without injured forwards Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand.

Winnipeg has dropped into a slump, going 0-6-2 in its last eight games. Kyle Connor scored his 11th goal of the season for the Jets. Morgan Barron found the net midway through the third period to cut the deficit to one, but Lundell's second goal restored the two-goal margin.

The Panthers entered Friday with only three home games played this season, the fewest in the National Hockey League. More than half the league had played at least seven home games by that point. Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Marchand could return in about three weeks, while Barkov may be out for about four.

A brief scuffle occurred just two minutes and four seconds into the game between Florida's Bokondji Imama and Winnipeg's Tyrel Bauer. The two had previously fought in the American Hockey League in 2024. They exchanged a nod after their more than one-minute engagement on the ice. Akira Schmid stopped 22 shots for the Panthers.

The Jets travel to Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers will host Detroit on Monday night.