An unheralded forward has quietly been one of the Panthers’ top players early this season
He’s not the Florida Panthers player one generally things of when looking for a catalyst. He doesn’t come with the brand recognition like Aleksander Barkov or Matthew Tkachuk.
But coach Paul Maurice might have found a secret weapon in his lineup in 24-year-old forward Eetu Luostarinen.
Maurice has been tinkering with the Panthers’ forward lines over the first five weeks of the season. There have been mixed results along the way.
But the coach has seen one factor remain nearly constant.
“The interesting thing in all of this,” Maurice said recently, “is whoever I play Luostarinen with takes off.”
There are numbers to back that up. Luostarinen entered Wednesday’s game against the Boston Bruins third on the team with six goals through 19 games played, but his production can be better seen through other metrics.
Let’s start with plus-minus. Luostarinen is a plus-12 on the season, meaning the Panthers are outscoring opponents by 12 goals when Luostarinen is on the ice in even strength or short-handed situations. That’s the best mark among all Florida forwards and tied for fifth in the NHL among forwards.
That high rating can be attributed to Luostarinen’s knack for being stingy on defense and ability to help set up plays even if he’s not the one dishing the pass or shooting the puck.
“Always on pucks,” Maurice said.
According to the advanced hockey statistics website Natural Stat Trick, the Panthers’ expected goals allowed per 60 minutes at full strength when Luostarinen is on the ice is 1.73. That’s the best mark among all Panthers players and tied for fifth in the NHL among 393 players who have had at least 200 minutes of ice time at full strength.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Panthers’ expected goals for per 6- minutes at full strength when Luostarinen is on the ice is 3.19, which ranks fifth among Florida forwards and tied for 56th in the NHL.
The actual production is better than the expected (4.74 goals for per 60 minutes, 1.48 goals against per 60 minutes).
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that when Luosty’s on a line, it’s usually the best line that night,” forward Nick Cousins said. “He’s a really smart player, really intelligent.”
Added Colin White: “I’ve been with him quite a bit this year and he’s such a good player. Such a good stick out there. He’s so quick and always in the right place.”
And Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, whose is lockermates with Luostarinen in the team’s home dressing room at FLA Live Arena: “He’s always been really skilled. He knows the game really well. He knows what to do with and without the puck. He’s really smart and good with his stick. It was just a matter of time until he started to play this well.”
Luostarinen’s success is coming off the heels of a breakout 2021-22 season during which he logged 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 78 games while primarily playing as Florida’s fourth-line center.
“I think I’ve made a step from last year,” Luostarinen said. “I’m starting to get better every game.”
He has earned the trust of his new coach in Maurice, who moved Luostarinen from center to wing in order to give him more ice time.
Luostarinen also forms half of the Panthers’ top forward duo on the penalty kill along with Eric Staal and has seen time on the Panthers’ second power-play unit.
As for five-on-five play, Luostarinen began the season on a line with Anton Lundell and White. Recently, Maurice moved him to a line with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk.
“It doesn’t really matter who I play with,” Luostarinen said. “I just try to do my best on the ice every day.”
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