Tyler Johnson’s power-play goal 10:56 into the third period was the difference in the Tampa Bay Lightning’s combative 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers in an exciting back and forth affair at Amalie Arena.
With Aaron Ekblad off for high-sticking, Johnson got behind Gustav Forsling to redirect a knifing pass from Yanni Gourde, who had just taken a short drop from Anthony Cirelli, into a beckoning net.
The Panthers got a goal in each period to keep pace with the Lightning until Johnson’s go-ahead marker.
Carter Verhaeghe scored a pretty goal on the backhand to open the scoring 3:28 into the game.