Lundell's two-way play continues to draw comparisons to Florida captain and two-time Selke Trophy winner Sasha Barkov
Lundell's two-way play continues to draw comparisons to Florida captain and two-time Selke Trophy winner Sasha Barkov
When talking about what makes the Florida Panthers such a good team, one of the first things that should come up is the team’s depth.
Whether discussing the forwards ranks or the defenseman, the Panthers have built a team with more roster-worthy players than spots available to play them.
That’s a testament to the work that Florida General Manager Bill Zito and his staff have put in over the past few years.
Looking a bit deeper, the Panthers are also blessed with an abundance of two-way centermen and players who can handle themselves in the faceoff circle.
There’s team captain Sasha Barkov, one of the best in the world with a hockey puck, gritty speedster Sam Bennett, high-end scorer Sam Reinhart and ascending young forward Eetu Luostarinen.
All can win faceoffs and all can provide excellent defensive play.
And then there’s young Finnish center Anton Lundell.
The 22-year-old is in his third season with Florida and is blossoming into a high-end two-way center.
Lundell really seemed to turn a corner with his all-around impact level this season, looking more and more comfortable playing in Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice’s aggressive defensive systems.
That has led to Lundell playing perhaps the best hockey of his life on the game’s biggest stage.
“He’s just a big game player,” said Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues. “He loves the challenge, loves the moment, and I think he elevates his game in the playoffs because he relishes the challenges that come with harder, more meaningful games. I’ve really liked what I've seen from him this playoffs.”
The season started slow for Lundell in terms of production, but that was really the only part of his game that could’ve used a bump.
His defensive numbers and advanced possession metrics all screamed that he was playing at a high level at both ends of the ice, but it wasn’t until a mid-season line swap that something sparked Lundell’s scoring touch.
Ironically, it was due to an injury to Barkov back in mid-January.
Maurice went back to a line that was excellent for Florida last postseason, with Lundell centering Luostarinen and Reinhart.
To that point, through 39 games, Lundell had accumulated just two goals, 13 points and a plus-four rating.
In the first four games after the move, he logged two goals and five points.
From there he was off and running.
After the initial 13 points in 39 outings, Lundell’s regular season consisted of another 39 games.
This time he scored 11 goals and 22 points while skating to a plus-14 rating.
“I saw you guys call him Baby Barky,” Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola said after Game 2 against Edmonton. “That’s pretty good.”
It’s been more of the same for Lundell during the playoffs.
Through 19 postseason games, Lundell has three goals and 14 points to go with a plus-eight rating.
His production and reliability on both ends of the ice is a big part of why the Panthers are two wins away from their first Stanley Cup.
“We’ve got two wins now,” Lundell said. We’re gonna rest and watch some video, improve and get better and be ready for Game 3.”
The maturity that Lundell has been exuding during the playoffs is not often seen in a player so young.
He understands the mix of skill and physicality that comes with playoff hockey, and he’s skating on that edge as well as any seasoned veteran.
“He’s playing a good defensive game, and he’s also got the offense, and he’s playing a little bit mean,” said Mikkola. “It’s good.”
Lundell and the Panthers will look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Final when they take the ice in Edmonton on Thursday night.
The puck drops from Rogers Place at 8 p.m.
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