2023-05-05 19:15:17
SUNRISE – What does not kill you makes you stronger. This is the observation made by Anton Lundell this season. The talented young Florida Panthers forward has experienced an offensive downturn in his second season in the NHL.
After amassing 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 65 games in a very promising debut in 2021-22, the Panthers’ first pick in 2020 (12th) continued with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 73 games this season.
TO READ : Florida at the helm of the series thanks to Bobrovsky | To say that Paul Maurice had little hope on Thursday…
Slowed down by injury and illness in December, Lundell was somewhat affected by the bad luck of the second year. The 21-year-old Finn prefers to speak of a second year punctuated by “ups and downs”.
“It’s not always easy, but the pitfalls harden your skin,” he philosophized Thursday, after being an important part of the Panthers’ second win in as many games against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“You can’t always show crazy stats or be good all the time,” he rephrased. But you always have to try harder, learn and be a better version of yourself. That’s what I’m doing and now we’re seeing the results,” said the Espoo native skater.
In the playoffs, with six points in nine games on his record, Lundell brings “his game into the Panthers’ game,” to use the expression of Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis. With Sam Reinhart et Eetu Luostarinen as wingers, the center player pilots a third unit that is the envy of several teams.
Video: FLA@TOR, #2: Lundell puts the Panthers on the board
On Thursday, Lundell scored his first goal at a very opportune moment for the “Felines”. Leading 2-0, the Maple Leafs flew over the ice at Scotiabank Arena after 10 minutes of play. He then lent his support to Gustav Forsling, author of the third goal of his team, early in the second period. The defenseman’s success would prove to be the key to the Panthers’ 3-2 success.
Un mini Barkov
His former teammate Jonathan Huberdeau had described the Lundell rookie as a mini Alexander Barkovlast year, because of the great maturity he already displayed in his game.
Barkov, the captain of the Panthers, is a model center player, attentive to his game in defense and who has good offensive skills.
“We’re similar style players, but I’m not trying to imitate him, like he’s not trying to imitate me,” Lundell commented of his 27-year-old Finnish compatriot. “We think the same way on the ice. We never cheat on offense. Above all, we want to be good in our zone. It’s ‘fun’ to watch what he does. He makes me better and I make him better, ”he said, not suffering from any inferiority complex.
Or the emulator of Alex Steen
Panthers coach Paul Maurice said he saw a young Alex Steen in Lundell. The Swedish winger, now retired at age 39, had a successful NHL career, scoring 622 points, including 245 goals, in 1,018 games. He played a significant role in the St. Louis Blues winning the Stanley Cup in 2019.
“Didn’t he (Steen) score 18 goals alongside Mats Sundin with the Maple Leafs in his first NHL season at age 21? asked Maurice, knowing perfectly well the answer to the question.
“He was a talented youngster, but who remained on the periphery. He changed his style throughout his career to become more physical. He was playing with a lot of intensity towards the end.
“I believe that Anton has exactly the same profile, continued Maurice. He is talented and he is a very bright young man.
“He has made progress this season by getting more physically involved. He is much tougher to face. »
Lundell corroborated Maurice’s analysis, noting that the physical game is a must in the NHL.
“You have to play that way. I found the style that works for me. After that, you have to trust your teammates that it will work,” he concluded.
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