In Helsinki Friday, the Florida Panthers got a lift from Roberto Luongo who made 32 saves to help defeat the Winnipeg Jets, 4-2.
It was Luongo’s first game since the season opener when injured a knee.
“I was eager to get back in the lineup,” Luongo said. “I was aiming more towards next week, but I felt really good in practice the last few days. I had a good morning skate yesterday and I felt I was where I needed to be and I was excited to get back in the lineup.
“[The coaches] left it up to me. It was my call whether I wanted to start today and wait until next week. I wasn’t quite sure early in the week, but the closer we got to today, the better I felt.”
The Panthers went 3-for-5 on the power play.
Keith Yandle, Evgenii Dadonov and Mike Hoffman all scored with the man advantage.
“We’re doing a ton of good things,” Yandle said. “We’re playing hard every night. We’ve just got to go out there and earn our two points.”
Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine scored for the Jets.
“Obviously, we would have a lot more confidence if we would have won this game,” Laine said. “But I think for me, I think I had a pretty good two games, especially this one. I think I created a lot of positive things in their end and got the power-play goal. That was huge for us, but it wasn’t enough tonight.”
Frank Vatrano had the only goal for the Panthers not off the power play.
[WATCH: All Panthers vs. Jets highlights]
Connor Hellebuyck made 22 saves in the loss.
“You give up three on the P.K., you’re not winning,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.