By
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
The Florida Panthers now with three consecutive victories turn their attention to a rivalry matchup welcoming the Tampa Bay Lightning to Amerant Bank Arena. The Panthers enter the game after defeating the Calgary Flames 3-0. The Lightning enter this game after defeating the top dogs in the east the Washington Capitals 3-1. The Lightning and Panthers are close in the standings with Florida sitting 3rd and the Lightning sitting 4th in the Eastern Conference.
Florida and Tampa would kick off the first period with no goals and no penalties being committed by either side. The Lightning have been able to climb the standings thanks to their four-game winning streak in which the last time they lost was February 1st. Andrei Vasilevskiy entered the boards making 27 saves on the night. The Panthers and Lightning will meet for the final time this season on April 15th as Florida leads the season series 2-1.
In the second period the Panthers started the scoring breaking the deadlock nine minutes in through Barkov going unassisted to make it 1-0. Six minutes later it would be Florida again doubling the lead by way of Barkov once again on a power play assisted by Samoskevich to make it 2-0. The Lightning would find themselves in a hole going to the third and final period.
Two minutes into the final period Tampa would show signs of hope with Point earning his 32nd goal of the season cutting the deficit in half making it 2-1. Seth Jones who was traded from Chicago to Florida nearly scored a goal in his debut. Tampa entered the game being the best in the league on power plays and ended the night being 0-6. A third period power play almost saw Anthony Cirelli tie it for Tampa with his shot hitting the cross bar. The Panthers hold on for the win defeating Tampa by a final score of 2-1.
Up next for the Florida Panthers is a home game welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets to Amerant Bank Arena.
Written by: Daniel Torres
Post a Comment