News Summary
In a competitive neutral-site preseason game, the Florida Panthers were narrowly defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 at the Kia Center. Head coach Paul Maurice fielded a team mainly composed of young prospects, emphasizing the need for their development. The game featured highlights including a swift response from MacKenzie Entwistle and Ryan McAllister’s third-period goal. Despite their effort to mount a comeback, the Panthers fell short. This game intensifies the rivalry as both teams prepare for more matchups before the regular season begins against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Orlando – The Florida Panthers faced the Tampa Bay Lightning in a neutral-site preseason game at the Kia Center, ending with the Panthers losing 3-2 to the Lightning. This matchup could potentially be one of the last neutral-site games in NHL history, as the league plans to shrink preseason schedules starting next season.
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice utilized a lineup primarily composed of prospects for this contest. He emphasized that the organization’s younger players needed to showcase their development and what they learned during training camp. The Panthers previously secured a 4-3 overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, where Jack Studnicka scored two goals. Studnicka is tied for the team lead with three goals in the preseason, following his signing of a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers in July.
For this game against the Lightning, goaltenders Brandon Bussi and Daniil Tarasov were designated as the starters. The Lightning countered with goaltenders Jonas Johansson and Brandon Halverson. The first goal of the game came from Tampa Bay’s Oliver Bjorkstrand at the 10:29 mark of the first period during a 5-on-3 power play. The Panthers quickly answered with a goal from MacKenzie Entwistle at 14:45 in the first period, tying the game at 1-1.
As the game progressed, the Lightning regained the lead with second-period goals from Conor Geekie and Jakob Pelletier, extending their advantage to 3-1. In the third period, Ryan McAllister scored for the Panthers, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Despite a valiant effort to equalize towards the end, the Panthers could not secure another goal, just falling short of a comeback.
Coach Maurice expressed praise for the effort displayed by his prospects, highlighting their unity and teamwork throughout the game. This match further adds to the ongoing rivalry between the Panthers and the Lightning, who have encountered each other in Orlando previously, including a high-scoring game last year, where the Lightning triumphed with a score of 8-7.
The Panthers have two additional preseason matchups scheduled against the Lightning. Looking ahead, the regular season for the Panthers is set to begin with their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7.
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Additional Resources
- NHL: Panthers Preview
- Wikipedia: NHL Preseason
- Florida Hockey Now: Game Insights
- Google Search: Florida Panthers
- NHL: Panthers Recap
- Google Scholar: NHL
- Orlando Sentinel: Lightning vs Panthers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Hockey League
- Florida Hockey Now: Preseason Schedule
- Google News: Florida Panthers News
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
