Eetu Luostarinen is Back, Florida Panthers End Slide with OT Win over Blue Jackets

Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen meets the media after his team beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-6 in overtime on Dec. 6, 2025 in Sunrise.

Luostarinen was out since Nov. 15 after getting burned during a grilling mishap.

Florida had lost four straight and five of six. The five-game home losing streak was the team’s longest since near what would be the end of the 2019-20 season when Florida lost eight straight in Sunrise.

Sam Bennett netted the game-winner with 3.4 seconds left in OT; the Panthers had never led before that moment.

Bennett had a goal and three assists as did Brad Marchand; Florida also got goals from Evan Rodrigues, two from Carter Verhaeghe, Seth Jones, and Anton Lundell.

The Panthers play host to the New York Islanders on Sunday to wrap up a six-game homestand and stretch of 11 of 12 at home.

Video Courtesy Florida Panthers / @FlaPanthers / Panthers Vision

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Video Courtesy Florida Panthers / Panther Vision