Panthers Even Jets In NHL Global Series

     Roberto Luongo made his return as the Florida Panthers defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 at Hartwell Arena in Helsinki, Finland on Friday. It was the second time both clubs faced each other in the NHL Global Series. The Jets won the contest on Thursday 4-2.
     Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo returned to the net and started. It was his first appearance with the team since October 6 which was opening night at Tampa Bay. The Panthers won their first game this season in regulation time.
     Winnipeg(8-5-1) jumped out to a 1-0 advantage midway through the first period at 8:53. Blake Wheeler sent a lead pass from his own zone to Nikolaj Ehlers at the Panthers blue line. He skated in through the slot and released a backhand shot that Luongo saved, however Ehlers slapped in the rebound.
     Florida(3-5-3) answered back with 5:31 left in the first on a power-play goal. Keith Yandle walked the blue line, passed the puck to Vincent Trocheck on the right wing and received it back. Yandle pounded a slap shot from the top of the zone that was redirected in by Evgenii Dadonov in the slot area.
     The Jets pulled ahead 2-1 on the power play with 2:44 remaining. Wheeler scooted a pass from the top left circle to Patrik Laine at the right point. He skated into the right circle and scored on a wrist shot.
     In the second period, the Panthers scored with the man advantage at the 4:57 mark. Mike Hoffman was at the right point and made a give-and go pass with Mike Matheson at the top of the zone. Hoffman skated to the top right circle and snapped a high wrist shot past Connor Hellebuyck to tie it 2-2. Hoffman was able to extend his point streak to nine games with the goal.
     The Cats finally got their first lead of the contest with 26 seconds left in the second period on the power play. Keith Yandle scored his third goal of the season on assists from Jonathan Huberdeau and Dadonov.
     Florida put the game out of reach with 7:45 to go in the third period to make it 4-2. Huberdeau got to a loose puck in the neutral zone, broke between both defensemen at the blue line and dropped it back. Frank Vatrano rocketed a one-time slap shot from the high slot for the two-goal margin.