Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers scored his first goal of the season, putting the team ahead 1-0 against the Tampa Bay Lightning just 4:16 into the game. His goal followed a Panthers' offensive-zone faceoff win and a shot through traffic that got by Lightning's goaltender Vasilevskiy. Ekblad's defensive game has been noteworthy, and his big clear during the game potentially saved a goal. The Panthers ended the first period with a lead, going 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning, who missed a power play opportunity earlier, returned to score 29 seconds into the third period, marking his 300th career goal and 24th of the season, bringing the score to 2-1. Shortly after, Eyssimont scored for a 3-2 game. Panthers' goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made a significant sprawling glove save on a Brayden Point breakaway with 9:44 remaining in the game.
Sergei Bobrovsky just made a save-of-the-year worthy save. He came up with a beauty of a sprawling glove save on a Brayden Point breakaway attempt with 9:44 to go.
Now Eyssimont comes right back and scores a goal similar to Kucherov's, quickly jumping on a blocked shot and firing a follow-up past Bobrovsky. 3-2 game now with 16:29 left in the third.
Kucherov makes it 2-1 first shift of the third -
Bolts on the board 29 seconds into the 3rd. Cats still lead 2-1 after Kucherov's strike.
There he is. Kucherov scores his 24th of the year 29 seconds into the third and it's a 2-1 game. That's Kucherov's 300th career goal.
Nikita Kucherov makes it 2-1 early in the third period.
Really good look for Point from the high slot but Bobrovsky tracks it the whole way, makes the blocker save.
Kucherov is on the ice to start this second period
Kucherov missed that second power play because … https://t.co/zjXpyJ8bs4
Unofficially, #GoBolts only had three shots during 5-on-5 play, had six shots on the two power play chances
END OF 1: Panthers 1, Lightning 0 Great start for the Cats, 2-for-2 on the PK.
There's the horn and that's the end of the first period. #Bolts trail the Panthers 1-0 with shots even at nine apiece. Execution not quite crisp enough for TB in the D-zone in the opening 20.
Kucherov back on the ice for #TBLightning
Kucherov appears to be back on the #GoBolts bench
Assist to the #Bolts fans in my mentions, but just went back & watched Kucherov's last shift. A few moments after getting off the ice, Cousins took a hit right in front of the TB bench and it looked like his stick caught Kucherov up high. He's back on the ice now.
Florida has controlled play since the last Lightning power play chance expired, but score remains 1-0, shots on goal unofficially 9-8 for Florida as we hit the final media time out at 18:44
#FlaPanthers are 2-for-2 on the PK.
Aaron Ekblad with a big clear on a puck in the goal crease to potentially save a goal.
the second power play of the period for the #Bolts is happening now and Kucherov is not out there …
Sasha Barkov takes a tripping penalty with 6:42 to go in the second period. Nikita Kucherov is not out there for the TBL PP, nor is he on the bench…
Nikita Kucherov is not out with the top power play unit, Hagel at the right circle. #GoBolts bench is short, so that would be who is absent
#Bolts back to the power play with 6:42 left in the first as Barkov gets two for tripping. Hagel out there in Kucherov's spot.
Not sure if it's an equipment issue, but don't see Nikita Kucherov on the #Bolts bench. Conor Sheary just took a shift with Paul and Point.
Second media timeout, #GoBolts trail 1-0, shots unofficially 6-5 for Florida
Sometimes, you just need to talk to @ColbyDGuy — Aaron Ekblad gets his first goal of the season. ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/o6x7pAhGYB
Announced as Ekblad’s goal for now. On the replay, it looked like it was one of Cernak or Barkov who got a piece of it. I guess it was Cernak. https://t.co/LlP9BqnanK
That may be Aaron Ekblad’s first goal of the season - #FlaPanthers 1-0
An Aaron Ekblad shot puts the #FlaPanthers up 1-0 just 4:16 into the game. Looks like it was deflected, but may have been by a Lightning player. If it’s his, it’s his first.
GOAL! Cats strike first! 1-0! Ekblad's goal unless someone got a piece of it.
Florida grabs the lead, lost faceoff in the TB zone, Ekblad with a soft wrister through traffic at 4:16
Panthers win an offensive-zone faceoff and an Ekblad shot through traffic gets by Vasilevskiy. Florida up 1-0 with 15:54 left in the first.
Steven Stamkos just put the puck through a wide open goal crease on his own rebound. Panthers dodge a bullet 1:30 into the game.
Aaron Ekblad has yet to score a goal — but the #FlaPanthers dig the way he has transformed his defensive game. ⬇️🏒😾⬇️ https://t.co/o6x7pAhGYB
Last January, Aaron Ekblad made a commitment to playing a better defensive style of game. The #FlaPanthers have been very happy with his play ever since. STORY ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/aLrcFGy1hl