Panthers Surge Past Lightning in Stunning Victory

In an exhilarating playoff showdown, the Florida Panthers overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Monday night. The Panthers now lead the first-round series 3-1, setting the stage for a potential series-clinching game in Tampa this Wednesday.

The final moments of the game saw defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones score remarkable goals just 11 seconds apart, making history as the fastest two goals by teammates in playoff history. Ekblad's goal, which arrived with just 3:47 left on the clock, ignited a deafening roar from the crowd at Amerant Bank Arena.

Key Contributors Shine for Florida

Joining Ekblad and Jones on the scoreboard, Anton Lundell also made his mark, while Carter Verhaeghe sealed the victory with an empty-netter. Meanwhile, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky showcased his skills by stopping 18 shots.

Jones reflected on the intensity of the matchup, acknowledging the fierce rivalry, stating, "From Game 1, you could feel the hatred in the locker room... But it’s most importantly about winning. The job’s not finished. We’ve got to go to Tampa and have a good game."

Tampa Bays’ Woes with Injuries and Controversies

The Lightning faced a setback as Brandon Hagel exited the game in the second period after absorbing a high hit from Ekblad. Hagel, who had just returned from a suspension, did not return, and no penalty was called.

Prior to the Panthers' comeback, Lundell had opened the scoring in the second period. The Lightning quickly responded with two goals from Mitchell Chaffee and Erik Cernak, extending their lead to 2-1.

An Intense Series of Hits and Penalties

This game exemplified the fierce nature of the series, marked by physical play and controversial calls. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper expressed frustration over the ongoing discussions surrounding hits, stating, "It’s getting tiresome answering questions about a hit every single game." The chippiness continued with an early third-period major penalty assessed to Florida’s Niko Mikkola for boarding, further fueling the fiery contest.

As the series heads to Tampa, the Panthers look to execute their game plan and keep the momentum alive, while the Lightning aim to rebound fiercely. The next game promises to be just as electrifying!