Florida extended Washington’s losing streak and is closing in on a playoff spot – great night for the Finnish Swede: “It was a fantastic game by Lundell”

The Panthers picked up an important win with a view to a play-off spot as they defeated table eight Washington. Anton Lundell accounted for one goal and two assists.

The battle for a playoff spot is tight in the Eastern Conference with six teams within five points fighting for seventh and eighth place in the standings.

The Finns are aware of the situation and were active in Florida’s 6–2 win over the playoff rival Capitals.

Eetu Luostarinen, who a couple of days ago set a scoring record in a season, played up to the Panthers’ lead goal in the first period.

Barkov in turn struck in the away team’s 4–1 goal. The Florida captain has definitely kept in good shape and has scored 19 points in the last 16 games.

– This was clearly the biggest match for us so far. We tried to rest the last few days and yesterday we had dinner with the team, Barkov said about the preparations for the match after the victory.

The strongest of all Finns was the Finnish-Swedish Anton Lundell. Lundell, who before tonight’s meeting was noted for the points 7+17 in 49 games, had to increase the balance with another three points.

Lundell extended the team’s 5–3 lead in an empty net late in the third period. The Finnish Swede also played until Colin White’s 3-0 goal and the last goal of the match. Teammate White praised the Finn’s effort after the match.

– It was a fantastic match by Lundell.

The loss was the third in a row for Washington, which is missing veteran forward Aleksandr Ovetchkin. Washington announced Tuesday that the Russian veteran will be out indefinitely due to the passing of his father.

With Florida’s win, the teams are on the same score, unfortunately the positions do not change due to Washington’s better goal difference. Thus, Panther is barely out of the playoffs.

Strong Finnish performances in Carolina

The Hurricanes had won eight straight home games against the Canadiens and tonight’s meeting was no exception as the home team won 6–2.

In the meeting between the second table and Montreal, all six Finns were represented on the ice.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi accounted for the team’s reduction goal in the first period.

Sebastian Aho continues to keep up the pace of one point per game. Aho played first until Seth Jarvis’ first goal and later in the game gave the Hurricanes a 3–2 lead.

Seth Jarvis managed three goals in the game and became the fourth youngest of all time with a hat trick in the Carolina jersey.

Antti Raanta made 20 saves and has helped the team to at least a point in each of his last 13 games.

Carolina, still second in the Eastern Conference, faces Washington on Saturday in an outdoor game.

– In recent days, there has been a lot of talk about the outdoor meeting, so I think we are focusing really well tonight, said Aho after the match.

Laine and Haula score goals

Finnish success was also seen when the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Winnipeg Jets on home ice.

In the game that ended 3–1, Patrik Laine accounted for Columbus’ 1–1 tie in the second period with an accurate wrist shot. The goal was Laine’s third against his old club Winnipeg. Laine also played until Boone Jenner’s goal in the third period.

Columbus’ Finnish goalkeeper Joonas Korpisalo had a strong game, saving a total of 37 times.

New Jersey’s Erik Haula hit his fifth shutout of the season in a 4–2 loss to St. Louis. Despite the loss, one of the surprise teams of the season continues in third place in the Eastern Conference.