The Florida Panthers lost their Game 1 matchup to the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 5-4 final score. The Panthers made a push in the third period by scoring three goals, but they could not complete the comeback.
Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen kicked off Florida's third-period rally attempt, as he scored just 1:39 into the period. It was a nice goal, too, as he deflected a Anton Lundell feed past Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll to cut Toronto's lead to 4-2.
With this goal, Luostarinen extended his point streak to three games. The 26-year-old forward has been excellent during this streak, posting two goals, six points, and a plus-7 rating over that span. This includes scoring a goal and recording four points in the Panthers' series-clinching win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the last round.
With numbers like this, Luostarinen is undoubtedly hitting a new level offensively right now for the Panthers. While the 2017 second-round pick is more known for his strong defensive play and physicality, he has been a difference-maker offensively for the Panthers this post-season so far.
If the Panthers hope to get by the Maple Leafs and go on another long playoff run, they will need players like Luostarinen to continue to thrive for them. It will be interesting to see how he builds on his impressive play from here.
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