Florida Panthers Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2: Special Teams Shine

The Florida Panthers showcased their dominant special teams play with a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Sunday. The Panthers extended their winning streak to four games, improving their record to 22-11-2. The win was largely driven by stellar performances on both the penalty kill and the power play, with the Panthers scoring two shorthanded goals and one on the man advantage.

Special Teams Excellence

It was a night where special teams stole the spotlight. The Panthers capitalized on the Lightning’s penalty troubles, scoring twice while shorthanded. Their ability to execute on both the power play and penalty kill not only broke Tampa Bay’s momentum but also showed their superior game management.

Head coach Paul Maurice commented on the team’s resilience, particularly on the penalty kill, stating, “The 5-on-5 game should be pretty even with these two teams. We’re both deep with great goaltending. It’s hard generating at 5-on-5. You don’t expect your kill to be that dynamic, but it’s been like that all year.” The Panthers’ aggressive penalty kill continues to be a hallmark of their success this season.

Spencer Knight’s Heroics

One of the standout performances came from Spencer Knight, who was in top form from the start. Knight’s first-period saves were crucial, especially with Brayden Point and Brandon Hagel threatening the Panthers early.

In the opening minutes, Knight flashed his right pad to deny Point’s chance at close range. Later in the period, he made another key stop on Hagel from point-blank range. These saves set the tone for the rest of the game. Knight finished with 19 saves, and his ability to keep the Panthers in the game when needed was vital to the victory.

Knight reflected on the game saying, “It’s always fun playing them just because they’re so talented and it’s a really good challenge. I think that makes us better.”

Sam Reinhart’s Power Play Goal

The Panthers struck first on the power play in the first period. Sam Reinhart tipped in a shot from Aaron Ekblad at 15:51, putting Florida ahead 1-0.

This goal was significant for multiple reasons. It gave the Panthers a lead in a game that was expected to be closely contested, and for Ekblad, it marked his 250th career assist, moving him into third place for the most assists in franchise history, surpassing Stephen Weiss.

Ekblad’s achievement is a testament to his consistent playmaking ability over the years for the Panthers.

Late First Period Drama: Tampa Bay Responds

The Lightning didn’t wait long to respond. With just five seconds remaining in the first period, Nick Paul found space in front of the net and scored, slipping the puck through Spencer Knight’s five-hole to tie the game at 1-1.

This goal ensured the Lightning entered the second period with momentum, but the Panthers were prepared to answer back in a big way.

The Shorthanded Show

In the second period, the Panthers stunned the Lightning with two shorthanded goals in quick succession. A.J. Greer opened the floodgates by slipping a backhand shot through Andrei Vasilevskiy to give Florida a 2-1 lead at 10:28. Just 42 seconds later, Eetu Luostarinen picked off a turnover, broke free on a shorthanded breakaway, and extended the Panthers’ lead to 3-1.

These goals were a testament to the Panthers’ aggressive penalty kill and ability to take advantage of opportunities. The team has now scored 10 shorthanded goals this season, just two shy of a franchise record. Luostarinen said it best: “Everybody was alert and ready to go. Getting two goals there was big momentum for us.”

Knight Keeps Tampa Bay at Bay

The Lightning tried to fight back, with Brayden Point scoring in the third period to cut Florida’s lead to 3-2. Point skated into the zone, made a nifty move to get around the defense, and fired a forehand shot past Knight.

However, the Panthers’ defense, led by Knight’s steady play, held strong. Knight made an incredible save on Nikita Kucherov early in the third, denying the Lightning’s top scorer on a prime scoring opportunity.

Sam Reinhart, who had a strong all-around game, echoed the team’s commitment to defense, saying, “Everyone is committed” to playing sound defensive hockey.

Reinhart Seals the Win

As the game neared its end, the Lightning pulled Vasilevskiy for an extra attacker, but Sam Reinhart sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 30.4 seconds left on the clock. This final tally made it a 4-2 victory, giving the Panthers a huge win over their in-state rivals.

What’s Next?

The Panthers and Lightning will face off again on Monday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, to wrap up their home-and-home series. The rematch will be crucial for both teams as they look to finish the series strong before the holiday break.

Head coach Paul Maurice was already preparing for the challenge, saying, “It’s going to be six periods of it, that’s the way we looked at it. We expect a pushback game from them, for sure.” With both teams highly competitive, this upcoming game promises to be another exciting chapter in the Florida-Tampa Bay rivalry.

Key Stats and Takeaways

• Shorthanded Goals: Panthers scored two shorthanded goals in a game for the eighth time in franchise history.
• Spencer Knight: Recorded 19 saves, including six high-danger saves, per NaturalStatTrick.com.
• Sam Reinhart: Blocked a team-high three shots and scored an empty-net goal.
• Faceoffs: Sam Bennett won 10 of 13 faceoffs (76.9%), contributing significantly to Florida’s puck possession.
• Evan Rodrigues: Played in his 500th NHL game.

Team Milestones

• The Panthers improved to 14-0-0 when leading after two periods.
• Aaron Ekblad recorded his 250th career assist, further solidifying his place among the Panthers’ all-time greats.

FAQs

Q: What made the Panthers’ penalty kill so effective in this game?
A: The Panthers were aggressive, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on the Lightning’s power play struggles. Their ability to score two shorthanded goals was a key momentum swing.

Q: How did Spencer Knight perform in this game?
A: Spencer Knight was exceptional, making 19 saves and coming up with several big stops, including on Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov.

Q: How does this win impact the Panthers’ standings?
A: The Panthers’ victory pushed them to 22-11-2 on the season, strengthening their position as they continue to compete for a top spot in the NHL standings.

For more updates on the Florida Panthers, visit their official website.

Stay updated on Tampa Bay Lightning’s performance by checking out their official team page.