Preseason Takeaways: Florida Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2

2022-10-08 05:43:43 By : Mr. ShuLin Qiu

SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers got their second power play of Thursday’s game against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning with just over three minutes remaining in a tied game.

Defenseman Brandon Montour, Florida’s new quarterback on the top power play unit, was apparently in the mood to hear some Billy Joel.

Montour rifled a shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy with 1:15 left on the clock to lead Florida to a 3-2 preseason win at FLA Live Arena.

For the second time this preseason, Montour was able to play his personalized goal song which happens to be ‘It’s Still Rock ‘n Roll to Me.’

The Panthers are 2-3 this preseason and wrap up the exhibition season Saturday afternoon in Tampa against the Lightning (0-4).

“It’s nice to [get one there], especially on the power play,” Montour said.

”Over the last couple of practices, we have been trying to work on it, getting ready for the season. It’s nice — especially against those guys — to get a quick win there.”

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This was the first time the Panthers faced off against Tampa Bay since they were swept in the second round last season.

The rivalry between these two squads has ignited at a rapid pace and it was not put on hold just because it was a preseason game.

Zac Dalpe got into a fight with Cal Foote after tripping up Steven Stamkos late in the second period. The scrum got heated and Dalpe ended up missing the rest of the game after going down hard.

Stamkos also appeared to be shaken up on the play but remained in the game without missing a shift.

Dalpe got the scoring started 3:34 into the game. An Aaron Ekblad shot jumped off of Vasilevskiy’s pad and right onto Dalpe’s stick. He tucked it into the open net.

Aleksi Heponiemi extended Florida’s lead to 2-0 after pouncing on a Sam Reinhart rebound and potting it in with 1:57 to go in the opening frame.

“He’s just been really good at camp and is a prime example of a guy that did what he needed to do at camp,’’ coach Paul Maurice said. “He defined himself and described himself by his play. …

”We used him all over the ice. He’s had an excellent camp. He’s a very, very smart player and he’s got a skill level that means he can play with good players. ”

Nick Paul got Tampa Bay back into the game with a goal on a partial breakaway set up by a nice pass from Ross Colton 6:20 into the second period.

Vladislav Namestnikov scored off of a feed from Nikita Kucherov 4:16 into the third period to tie the game at 2-all.

Here are my takeaways from the game:

Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning

Where, When: Amalie Arena, Tampa; Saturday, 4 p.m.

2022 Preseason — Sept. 26: Florida 4, Nashville 3 (OT); Nashville 4, Florida 0. Sept. 29: Carolina 5, Florida 2. Oct. 1: Carolina 4, Florida 3. Thursday: Florida 3, Tampa Bay 2. Saturday: at Tampa Bay, 4 p.m

Regular Season Opener: Oct. 13 at New York Islanders

WATCH: Florida Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (Preseason Video)

WATCH: Florida Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (Preseason Video)

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Here’s my main take away. He needs to implement a normal four forward one D-man PP unit, Ekblad, Montour, whomever is fine with me, just pick only one D-man to play per unit please. There is a reason every team in the league uses this configuration and has for quite some time (besides the occasional outlier). If you only use three forwards, then your matching the “shorthanded” teams number of forwards, which seems counter productive to the whole darn point of having the “man” advantage. Just my thoughts.

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