The Panthers are fortunate to boast one of the more talented lineups in the NHL. They have enough firepower to pull the rope if one player, or line, isn’t contributing much offensively. 

Lundell, 25, is more than a one-trick pony, he’s used in all situations: even-strength, power play, shorthanded, shootouts.

Yet before Friday, his lone goal of the season came on Oct 12 in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

The numbers weren’t alarming since the Panthers value Lundell’s defensive capabilities over point production, but it was still lower than you’d expect from a player like him over a month into the season. 

Any concerns regarding offensive contributions were put to bed on Friday.

Funny enough, last summer when the Panthers kicked tires on Hellebuyck, multiple reports said the Jets wanted Lundell back in a potential trade.

Florida was not going to trade the young Finn, who already has two Stanley Cups and is seen as a future captain by some in the Panthers’ brass.

Lundell didn’t hide his emotions after his first goal. He pointed, and looked up at the rafters before cracking a smile with his teammates.

Late in the third with the Panthers up 3-2, Lundell gave his side an insurance marker, burying in a rebound attempt for his second goal of the night with 6:27 to play in regulation.

Lundell completed his first NHL hat trick after putting away an empty netter from his own zone into the empty cage.

“[It] felt pretty unreal,” Lundell said postgame about his hat trick. “I was a little nervous because it’s a long shot, and sometimes it goes wide, but I was just happy it went in.”