Lightning 2, Panthers 1 (OT)
Steven Stamkos scored a power-play goal 2:29 into overtime as the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning recorded a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
After an interference call on Dmitry Kulikov, Stamkos accepted a pass from Martin St. Louis and hammered a shot from the left circle just inside the left post for the winner. It was St. Louis’ second assist as the Lightning snapped Florida’s three-game win streak.
Vincent Lecavalier scored his fourth goal in as many games to tie it 1-1 for the Lightning 8:59 into the third on a rebound after a Panthers’ turnover.
It was the fifth straight game between the two teams in Florida’s building that went to extra time.
Stephen Weiss blocked Matt Gilroy's shot to set up a 2-on-1 that turned into the game’s first goal. Weiss zipped a cross-ice pass to Tomas Fleischmann, who one-timed a shot past Lightning goalie Mathieu Garon from the right circle at 12:48 of the second period.
Florida entered the contest 8-for-17 on the power play in three games against the Lightning. The Panthers came up empty on four opportunities.
Tampa Bay had a 7-5 edge in shots and held a team without a goal in the first 20 minutes for just the second time in 12 road games.