NHL
The Lightning Edge Out Panthers in Shootout 2-1.
The Lightning edged out another win after beating the Panthers in a shootout 2-1. Nikita Kucherov scored the shootout game-winner.
This puts the Lightning at 5-0-0 in their last five openers and 4-1-0 in their last five games against the Cats. For Florida, they are now 1-2-2 in their last five games against the Bolts and 0-2-2 in their last four games in Tampa.
Additionally, Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo and forward Derek Mackenzie left the game with an injury, their timetable for return is unknown. This could be huge blows to the Panthers as they already are having injury issues with Bogdan Kiselevich, Jaime McGinn and Michael Haley.
Tampa Bay Goaltender Andrei Vasileveskiy made 42 saves.
Roberto Luongo had 13 saves before getting pulled. James Reimer came in relief and made 15 saves.
Game Summary
1st period
Florida defenseman Jacob MacDonald netted his first career NHL goal in his first career NHL game. MacDonald received a pass in the left wing and took a wrist shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy. Johnathan Huberdeau also assisted on the goal.
Florida forward Derek Mackenzie left the game with an upper body injury.
2nd period
Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo went to the Panther’s dressing room after forward Frank Vatrano fell on his extended leg. Luongo was placed on the IR on Sunday and is expected to be out at least a week. Goaltender James Reimer came in for relief for the rest of the game.
3rd period
Tampa Bay forward Anthony Cirelli tied the game midway through the third scoring short handed against Florida’s five forward power play unit. He would take a shot and then collect his own rebound during a two-on-one rush. This shows why you need defensemen at all times. The goal was assisted by defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
Overtime
Both goaltenders made huge saves keeping the game alive. As previously mentioned by the headline, no goals were scored in this period.
Shootout
Tampa Bay forward J.T. Miller opened up the shootout scoring by flipping the puck over the shoulder of Florida goaltender James Reimer and deflecting it in.
Florida forward Mike Hoffman rang it off the post.
Tampa Bay forward Brayden Point was stopped by James Reimer
Florida forward Aleksander Barkov was shut down by Anderi Vasileveskiy. This is stunning considering he was the best shootout goal scorer in the NHL last season.
Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov put the game away by beating James Reimer through the five-hole
The Road Ahead
Florida
The Panthers will play their next game down in Sunrise as they open up at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 11th at 7:00 pm.
Tampa Bay
The Lightning will stay home and take on the Vancouver Canucks on October 11th at 7:30 pm.
Social Media
Follow Joey on Twitter: @JoeyGanzi
Photo Credit
Photo Courtesy of FanDuel
