Game 6: Florida Panthers versus Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 5-2, their fourth straight victory, in front of an announced sellout crowd of 19,204 at the Tampa Bay Times Forum Tuesday night.

Tampa Bay Lightning Carry 4-1 Lead Over Florida Panthers Into Third Period

The Florida Panthers did their best to score against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period. The team had a multitude of shots including a slew of chances on the man advantage, but none found their way in the net. The Lightning, however, had much better luck.

Tampa Bay extended its lead when Dana Tyrell's cross ice pass deflected off of Tom Pyatt at 3:18 of the middle stanza. Pyatt's last assist came last season on Dec. 17 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Lightning had a flurry of chances in the offensive zone, including when Cory Conacher found the back of the net for the second time in the game. Unfortunately, Conacher's second period goal was called off due to a holding penalty.

Tyrell was very active in the Panthers' zone in the second period. After he nabbed his first point of the season on Pyatt's goal, he notched his first goal of the year at 15:39 of the second period extending Tampa Bay's lead 4-1.

The Lightning are 2-0-0 when leading after two periods. Tampa Bay is the NHL's hottest team in third period scoring.

The Lightning hold a slight shot advantage over the Panthers with 27 shots to Florida's 17. Tampa Bay had 10 shots in the second period while Florida had 11.

Tampa Bay Lightning Leads Florida Panthers 2-1 After First Period

The first period was a physical one between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. B.J. Crombeen and Keaton Ellerby dropped the gloves early in the period to establish the mood. Ellerby received extra time for the scrum, including a 10 minute misconduct. At 11:09 of the period, Vincent Lecavalier’s stick broke and gave way for a Steven Stamkos shot. Stamkos’ first shot did not go in, but his rebound did, giving the forward his first power play goal of the season.

15 seconds later, Panther’s forward Peter Mueller beat Lightning goalie Anders Lindback to tie the game at one. Then, after a flurry of offensive shots for Tampa Bay, the team saw rookie forward Cory Conacher’s shot go in at 12:49. Conacher fought off Mike Weaver to net his goal. Victor Hedman set up the play with a text book pass to Conacher. Stamkos now has points in all six of Tampa Bay’s game this season after scoring his power play goal in the first period.

Tampa Bay Lightning versus Florida Panthers game thread

The anthers hope to stop a losing streak, the Lightning hope to continue a winning one. Join the crew at Raw Charge for our game thread.

Resume the rivalry? Tampa Bay Lightning versus Florida Panthers preview

With the Tampa Bay Lightning riding high, are the Florida Panthers (tonight's opponents) licking their wounds from their loss to the Flyers on Saturday, or licking their chops while thinking of redemption and a victory in Tampa?