It was the chance to play in a game like this that made Jones excited about joining the Panthers.
After placing the Blue Line for parts of four seasons in the Chicago Blackhawks rebuild, the previous first-round pick was acquired by the Panthers before the NHL trading deadline in March.
Soon, he had a good feeling about his new environment.
“You could feel the way it was a family environment,” Jones said. “From players to coaches, coaches, medial staff, guys on the equipment, everyone, you could feel how tight it was. Everyone respects each other. Everyone wants the best for each other.”
It is also his environment that brought out the best of him.
The Panthers lost top-pair defensive Aaron Eckblad in the final 18 games of the regular season, so Jones was essentially thrown into the deep end shortly after he arrived.
After getting the crash course on “Panthers Hockey,” he spent countless hours watching the video.
He acknowledged that the coaching staff had speeded up, and he adjusted the entire approach.
“He was built since he came here,” Coach Paul Maurice said. “When he came in, it was a bit of a challenge. We played him with all the defensemen, with injuries and our schedule and things like that.
After getting 21 games to adjust to his new environment during the regular season, Jones ran to the ground since the playoffs progressed.
In 19 games in the book, he leads the Florida defensive man with goals (4), leading plus/minus (+13), and average ice time per game (25:45) this postseason.
With the top units placed, he helped the power play work at 24.2%.
Finding the perfect partner, Jones also benefits from playing with Nico Miccola.
When the pair unfolded 5-5 for these playoffs, the Panthers recorded a favorable margin with goals (14-5), shot attempts (222-190), and scoring chances (102-70).
With towering two rocks, they set up a total of 10, 12 feet 10 without skating.
“Ransie,” Maurice said of the pair. “They need it across the ice. The long sticks are very important. When you play teams at Edmonton’s speed, you’re not always on top of them or in front of them. … Those guys can put players outside, skate outside, hold their hands in the middle to cover the board.”
When it comes to facing the Oilers’ high-flying attack, Jones embraces the challenge.
“I understand that they have dangerous players, but I don’t think we’re going to change our play,” said Jones, who has signed with the Panthers throughout the 2029-30 season. “We’re still going to defend as a group of five. We’re trying to limit things from rush as usual, but we’re continuing to play the system as usual.”
Most importantly, the Panthers aren’t surprised that Jones can do it.
Before becoming general manager and president of the Panthers hockey business, Bill Jeet got to know Jones as assistant general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
So, when Zito pulled the trigger for his deal, he knew the type of player he was getting.
But even so, the Panthers may still have received more than they wanted.
“He’s as advertised,” Maurice said.
In Stanley Cup Final All Square 1-1, Jones and Panthers will try to lead the series when they host the Oilers in Game 3 at 8pm on Monday at Amerant Bank Arena.
For tickets please click here.
