Q&A: Luostarinen off to very productive start to 2022-23 season

Eetu Luostarinen has been one of the hottest players out of the gate for the Florida Panthers.
Making a dent on the scoresheet in four of six games to kick off the 2022-23 campaign, the 24-year-old forward is tied for second on the team in both goals (2) and points (5) while also ranking tied for sixth in the NHL with a stellar +7 rating.

Moving from center to wing, Luostarinen has teamed up with Anton Lundell and Colin White to form an incredibly effective and formidable forechecking line. Per NaturalStatTrick.com, over the 43:22 of ice time that the line has played at even strength, Florida has led 24-15 in scoring chances and 4-0 in goals.
"He's always been really skilled," said captain Aleksander Barkov, who sits right next to Luostarinen in the locker room. "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."
Prior to the Panthers hitting the road for their current trip, I had a chance to sit down with Luostarinen for a quick pre-flight chat about his early-season success, newfound linemates, goal songs and more.
OLIVE: After scoring a goal and posting a team-high +3 rating in Sunday's win over the New York Islanders, what are you most proud of when you look back at the tape from a game like that?
LUOSTARINEN: I think we had a real solid game. We played great at 5-on-5, and our special teams is coming along. Those are the things that we focus on.
OLIVE: Even though we're only a few games into the season, what has it done for your confidence to net some early points.
LUOSTARINEN:Yeah, it feels great. We're working the right way. When you work the right way, the points will come.

OLIVE: Under new head coach Paul Maurice, what is considered the right way to work?
LUOSTARINEN:He wants us to be on the puck. When we're not on the puck, he wants a guy above it. If the D is pinching, we always need a few guys back. It's things like that.
OLIVE: How nice has it been to find some early chemistry with Anton Lundell and Colin White?
LUOSTARINEN: I chat a lot with Whitey and Lundy. They're smart, smart guys. It's been fun.
OLIVE: As the non-Finnish player on the line, has White picked up Finnish yet?
LUOSTARINEN:He knows a couple of words [smiles]. It's early, so he's excited to learn more.
OLIVE: After registering a career-high 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) and suiting up in 78 games last season, how much confidence did that breakout give you heading into this season?
LUOSTARINEN: Obviously it felt great to know that I could be good in this league. I tried to work hard in the summer to improve my game even more.
OLIVE: What did that offseason work entail?
LUOSTARINEN: It was just general stuff. I wanted to add strength all over my body. I also worked on those first few steps on the ice, too.
OLIVE: Have you felt the results from all that work when you've on the ice?
LUOSTARINEN: Yeah, but a lot of it has just been being smarter. It's just not thinking too much, just playing the game and enjoying it. When you're playing smarter, you don't have to work as hard.
OLIVE: We got to hear your goal song for the first time against the Islanders. How did you end up picking "Samba de Janeiro" by Bellini?
LUOSTARINEN: Back in the day we had the same thing in Charlotte. I liked it, so I went with it.
OLIVE: In speaking with Lundell, it seems like dance music is really big in Finland as well.
LUOSTARINEN:Yeah, a lot of people like it. [smiles].
OLIVE: As you get ready to hit the road again, how happy is the team with this 4-1-1 start?
LUOSTARINEN:It's been a good start. I think we still have a few things that we can be better at, but it's been really exciting.
OLIVE: What's your favorite thing about going on the road?
LUOSTARINEN:Just being able to hang out with teammates. Going out to dinner is the best part.
OLIVE: Who do you spend most of your time with on the road?
LUOSTARINEN:The Euros, mostly [smiles].
OLIVE: You've been in the league a few seasons now and have had your fair share of road trips. Is there one city that you really enjoy visiting during the season?
LUOSTARINEN:Vegas was pretty cool. I went there last year for the first time. It's fun.