Florida outshot the Lightning 39-12 during the final 40 minutes of Thursday's game.
It’s amazing what a day at Universal Studios can do to pump up a hockey team.
That’s the only logical explanation to the Florida Panthers dominant effort in Thursday’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
All jokes aside, it was an impressive effort of a Florida group that was without the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Sasha Barkov and Gus Forsling. The host Bolts were overwhelmed by the Panthers from start to finish, and the 6-3 final score likely would’ve been more lopsided if not for the strong effort of goaltender Matt Tomkins.
Florida put the clamps down late, outshooting the Lightning 39-12 during the final two periods en route to their impressive three-goal victory.
The Panthers ultimately ended up with a 51-20 shot advantage.
Florida's fourth line of Kevin Stenlund centering Ryan Lomberg and Nick Cousins had a big night. Each player scored (Stenlund twice) and finished with two points, with the trio combining for 10 shots on goal and a +9 rating.
Florida goalie Anthony Stolarz also played well between the pipes, but credit to Tampa Bay for capitalizing on the few opportunities they were able to generate. Two of their goals came directly off faceoffs and through screens while the third was a power play one-timer by Steven Stamoks from below the faceoff dot.
Here are some thoughts and observations from Thursday night’s game:
Stolarz continued to show solid play in goal for Florida. He’s strong down low and has good rebound control.
Sam Bennett continued to look like he’s in midseason form. He’s been flying since the first day of camp.
Bennett left the game midway through the second period and did not return. Afterwards, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said he would get evaluated on Friday.
"Hopefully it's not too serious, but he's gonna have to get looked at by somebody who knows what they're talking about and I'm not him," Maurice said.
Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues showed some good chemistry. Just imagine what they could be capable of when Sasha Barkov returns to center their line.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s defending has been quite solid. His stick work around the net, in particular, has stood out.
Another game, another strong showing by Justin Sourdif. He’s fast, he’s physical and he continuously makes the right play when he gets the puck on his stick.
