Panthers Rise Over Lightning

     The Florida Panthers strutted past the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 at Benchmark International Arena on Thursday night. Both teams will meet each other on Saturday in Sunrise to conclude the 2026-27 preseason. 

     The Panthers picked up a 1-0 lead with 16 seconds left in the opening period. Bokondji Imama was able to get the tally.

     Florida struck at the 2:29 mark of the second period for them to make it 2-0. Kai Schwindt scored for the Cats. 

     Tampa Bay tied it 2-2 before the end of the frame. Jansen Hankins found the net at 3:14 and Conor Geekie followed with 6:51 to go in the second. 

     The Cats reclaimed the lead 3-2 on a goal by Hunter St. Martin at 4:21 of the third period. The Bolts evened it 3-3 when Hankins collected his second goal of the contest at 5:29. Florida answered back with a Cole Reinhardt goal just six seconds later and made it 4-3. Sandis Vilmanis chalked up an empty-net goal with 23.3 seconds remaining in the third to give them a 5-3 lead.