Katie Engleson just raved about Anton Lundell's four-minute segment, and the Panthers center apparently stole the show.
It's a lighter moment for a Florida team that has lost two straight and heads to Columbus on Tuesday. Lundell has been part of the conversation all week, for a hat trick, a scrum and a night off, so seeing him in a different setting is a nice change of pace.
Engleson put it plainly on social media tonight, calling it "What a performance by Anton Lundell" and saying the four minutes were entertaining from start to finish.
That's all the post gives us, and we won't pretend to know what was said in those four minutes. But a beat reporter who sees these players every day doesn't hand out "entertaining" lightly.
The word fits. Lundell, 25, born in Espoo, Finland, and the 12th overall pick by Florida in 2020, doesn't always get the spotlight. He plays a quiet, two-way game, and he's rarely the one fans line up to hear from.
Last week he finally got his moment on the ice, recording the first hat trick of his career. Now he's the center of attention off the ice too.
His past few days have been loud. On Sunday in Boston, he was in the middle of a scrum with Charlie McAvoy between the benches, in a 4-1 loss that left the Panthers at 9-7-2.
Why Lundell's personality matters to the Panthers right now
Because the room needs it. Florida has dropped two in a row, and the stat line on Lundell this season, 4 goals and 2 assists in 17 games with a -5 rating, isn't the whole picture of what he brings.
Fans want to see players they can connect with. A center who can hold an audience for four minutes is a player people will root for, even while the team is searching for answers.
Don't expect the segment to change the power play or the penalty kill. It does give Panthers fans a reason to smile before a trip to Columbus, a team that's 1-5-0 on the road but 6-3-0 at home.
On the ice, Lundell played 16:33 against Boston and put five shots on goal. Head coach Paul Maurice will want that kind of puck pressure again Tuesday.
If the segment is any sign, Lundell will be loose and ready. We'll find out at puck drop.
Quick hits
SAN JOSE SHARKSAiden Celebrini, younger brother of Sharks star Macklin, left Boston University's loss and is uncertain for Tuesday, according to Adam Kblat. The family name is already well known in San Jose, so this one will be watched closely.
COLORADO AVALANCHECale Makar is on the road with the Avalanche after leaving practice, Denver Sports 104.3 reports. Colorado also called up a defenseman, so the cloud over Makar's status hasn't lifted.
BOSTON BRUINSRay Bourque, Cam Neely and Zdeno Chara joined a big Bruins turnout at the Hockey Hall of Fame tonight for Patrice Bergeron. That's quite a group to see in one room.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERSThe Flyers announced that Joseph Woll starts in Vancouver tonight, and Rick Tocchet is reshuffling his blue line and forward group around him. Philadelphia is changing plenty on the fly.
EDMONTON OILERSDevon Levi shut the door on Noah Laba early, according to Vince Z. A quick start for Levi that's worth a look.
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