3 Takeaways: Panthers Loss vs Lightning – 10/21/22

Welcome to Full Press Hockey’s Takeaway series on the Florida Panthers. After each Panthers game of the 2022-23 season, our Florida Panthers beat writer, Alex Slemp, will recap the game and give you his three biggest takeaways from the matchup. Today we will have a look at the Florida Panthers’ loss vs the Tampa Bay Lightning. You can follow more of his work on the Florida Panthers here, and also tune into his podcast where he talks the latest on all things Florida Panthers.

It was the matchup the players and fans had been waiting for. 

After getting swept in the playoffs by their in-state rivals last season, the Panthers and their loyal followers were ready to exact revenge.

Panthers Battle Hard but Lose vs the Lightning

The Cats pounced on the Bolts early, bombarding Andrei Vasilevsky with 18 shots in the first frame.

But after one period the two rivals remained locked at one apiece.

It would be a back-and-forth affair the rest of the way, with both teams trading glorious chances at either end.

After 60 minutes couldn’t solve anything, the game went to overtime. Brayden Point buried a power play goal, just under the blocker of Sergei Bobrovsky, to complete the comeback and take the first installment of the Battle of Florida.

It was a tight battle and a good early season litmus test to see how this Panthers team matched up with another titan of the East.

There’s a lot to dissect from this one, so here are three main takeaways from last night’s Panthers vs Lightning.

Power outage

It was an all too familiar outcome once again for the Panthers’ power-play unit vs the Lightning.

What is regarded as one of the most lethal power plays in the entire NHL completely stalled against Vasilevskiy and the Bolts.

Vasilevskiy was again the Lightning’s best penalty killer, coming up with save after save. Paul Maurice had a full five-forward unit deployed against the Lightning’s penalty kill, but it was to no avail.  

The Florida Panthers finished the game going 0-5 on the man advantage. This continued a trend from last season’s playoffs, where the Panthers’ power play was anything but powerful versus the Lightning.

Florida’s power play has now only converted once in its last 18 tries against the Bolts, dating back to last season’s playoffs.

It’s become frustratingly clear that the Lightning has the Panthers’ number when it comes to special teams. 

Not only was the power play not firing but the penalty kill couldn’t get any stops either. 

The PK failed to stop the Bolts twice last night, including when it mattered most, in overtime.

The Bolts went 2-7 on the power play and have now converted on 6 of their last 22 chances against the Panthers.

This lack of execution from the Panthers on special teams has not gone lost on the players, nor has it dampened their spirits. 

As Brandon Montour said post-game “I think everyone can see it. At 5-on-5, we’re the better team there.”

And the 5-on-5 stats do support this. But at the end of the day, it’s only about wins and losses. And right now, the Cats need to find a way to get some wins against their biggest rival.

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From the Battle of Alberta to the Battle of Florida

It was the first taste of the bitter rivalry between these two clubs for Matthew Tkachuk. 

The last few years have seen this rivalry ramp up to a point where it is one of the most marquee matchups on the NHL schedule.

There’s always a little extra to play for in these games, no matter the time of year. And the Panthers’ newest addition was chomping at the bit to get this game underway.

Tkachuk is no stranger to big-time rivalries. Having played six seasons in Calgary, the Battle of Alberta was an all too familiar battleground for the gritty forward.

Prior to the season, Tkachuk stated “I hate Edmonton, but I hate Tampa more now”. 

Music to the ears of the Panthers fans. His excitement and energy were contagious to the raucous crowd at FLA Live Arena, which was buzzing all night long.

And it wouldn’t take long for the former fourth-overall pick to leave his mark on the rivalry. Just under three minutes after Steven Stamkos opened the scoring, Tkachuk would respond with a tip in front of the net off a Montour backhand. 

Tkachuk would pick up another point on Rudolf Balcers’ goal, but unfortunately, his first impression in this series might be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Getting a little heated

Trying to disrupt a partial break away from Nikita Kucherov in overtime, Tkachuk would lay a slash on the back of the Lightning star and then would further muck it up with him after the whistle, while Kucherov was down on the ice.

It was classic rough stuff we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from the former Calgary Flame. But his emotions got the best of him and he took it too far. 

His actions would result in a double minor and would put the Bolts back on the power play.

From there it was just a matter of time before the Lightning would make the most of all that open, four on three ice, and slip one past Bobrovsky. 

Not how Tkachuk wanted his hard-fought performance to be remembered. 

If anything, the silver lining here is that we can be certain the animosity between these two clubs has not wavered, and we will be in store for more furious battles the rest of the season.

Russian Brilliance

If you are a fan of goaltending battles, then you tuned into the right show last night.

Vasilevskiy and Bobrovsky had yet another brilliant duel versus one another. 

Both teams’ stars came out to play and with 70 total shots on net registered, each goalie was thoroughly tested.

Russia has historically churned out elite goalies ever since their Red Army days. And right now, they boast three of the best goalies in the world, with Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy, and the New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin.

So you knew it would be a treat to see these familiar foes duke it out from across the ice with one another.

Panthers fans should be excited with the level of play Bobrovsky is performing so early into the year. 

It usually takes goalies some time to adjust and get their rhythm at the beginning of the season. 

So if Bobrovsky is still finding his rhythm, with already recording 131 saves and a .916 SV% through his first four games, we should be seeing a Vezina-worthy campaign from Bob this season. 

Next up

The Panthers have one more game remaining on their three-game home stand. 

They take on the New York Islanders (2-2) on Sunday night.

The Panthers swept the season series with the Islanders last year, outscoring them 11-2.

Puck drops at 5:00 pm EST.