The Tampa Bay Lightning took their revenge on the defending champs, Florida Panthers. The Bolts traveled to South Florida and beat the Cats in their house, returning the favor from when the Panthers did the same in Tampa less than two weeks back.
This in-state rivalry is anything but friendly, as the two franchises have won four out of the last six Stanley Cup Championships, each winning two in back-to-back fashion, with the Panthers winning the most recent two.
Saturday’s game accounted for the most penalties in an NHL game since 2011. Both teams combined for 45 total penalties and 136 penalty minutes. The 26 penalties for Tampa a are new regular-season franchise record. Florida’s 19 penalties is tied for fourth in franchise history.
Tampa Bay forward Scott Sabourin, totaled 26 penalty minutes, which is by far the most for any Bolts player. He was also fined $2,018.23 for slashing Panthers defenseman, Niko Mikkola.
Sabourin was recalled that same day from the Syracuse Crunch and had previously been suspended four games for a preseason brawl, also with the Florida Panthers.
On the other side, Florida Panthers forward Anton Lundell was fined $5,000 for high-sticking Jake Guentzel. Both fines were the maximum allowable under the CBA.
Despite all the penalties, Tampa went 10-for-11 in penalty kills and also scored a shorty. That was the difference maker.