The Winnipeg Jets’ losing streak reached eight after a 5-2 loss to Florida – Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Jets left sunny Florida with a dark cloud hanging over them after another loss on Friday night.

For the second time this week, the Jets were defeated by the Florida Panthers, this time the final by a score of 5-2, making it eight losses in a row and dropping them to 4-7-3 overall.

Anton Lundell scored a hat trick for Florida, while Seth Jones recorded a goal and two assists.

Goaltender Nico Daws made his first start for the Jets since being acquired from New Jersey in a trade last week and made 33 saves.

Florida struck first on the powerplay with less than two minutes remaining in the opening period when Sam Reinhart received a low pass and casually walked in front, beating Daws with a shot and opening the scoring.

Get daily National news

Get Canada’s daily news stories delivered to your inbox so you never miss the day’s top stories.

Less than three minutes into the second half, the Panthers scored again on a Lundell shot to take a two-goal lead.

Later in the period, the Jets received a reward after a delay of game penalty awarded to the Panthers was challenged by Florida, but was unsuccessful, and the failed challenge gave Florida another penalty and a two-man lead for two minutes for the Jets.

It took them almost two full minutes to score, but Kyle Connor was able to make a nice deke and beat Panthers goaltender Akira Schmid to cut the lead to two. It was Connor’s team-leading 11th of the season.

But another Panthers power play late in the period resulted in another Panthers goal, this time on a shot by Jones who scored from the penalty spot and one-timed a pass in the slot.

It was Jones’ third point of the night, giving him six points against the Jets in the two games they played this week.

Winnipeg equalized again almost midway through the third quarter when Morgan Barron won a puck battle along the boards and headed to the net where he beat Schmid with a shot for his first goal of the season.

But the Panthers added an insurance marker after the Jets left Lundell in front of the net and he grabbed the rebound. He would complete his hat-trick with an empty netter late in the game.

The Jets played with 11 forwards and seven defensemen on the night, with Tyrel Bauer in the lineup in place of Brad Lambert.

And just when you thought the Jets’ schedule couldn’t get any tougher, they’ll face the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday with puck drop just after 1 p.m.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.