Panthers Drop Opener To Lightning In Overtime
TAMPA (AP) — Victor Hedman scored a power-play goal 1:11 into overtime and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 in their season opener Thursday night.
Hedman took a pass from goalie Ben Bishop at the offensive blue line, skated in and beat Roberto Luongo from the left circle.
Tampa Bay also got goals from Tyler Johnson and Ryan Callahan. Valtteri Filppula had two assists.
Erik Gudbranson and Jonathan Huberdeau scored for Florida in Gerard Gallant's first game as Panthers coach.
Callahan scored on a rebound of Filppula's shot during a 5-on-3 power play, putting Tampa Bay up 2-1 at 7:17 of the third.
Florida pulled even at 2 when Huberdeau put a shot past Bishop during a delayed penalty call at 9:16 of the third. Tampa Bay had six of the seven power-play chances up to that point.
Bishop played in his first regular-season game since dislocating his elbow late last season.
After Gudbranson opened the scoring at 5:03 of the second, Johnson tied it at 1 when he beat Luongo from the low right circle during a power play 2:09 later.
Luongo stopped Ondrej Palat's breakaway backhander with 9 minutes left in the second. He also stopped Johnson during a 2-on-1 early in the third.
Florida's Scottie Upshall was briefly shaken up in the second after a questionable hit by Tampa Bay's Radko Gudas. No penalty was called on the play.
Tampa Bay won all four games between the teams last season. The Lightning also took a pair of preseason games this year, outscoring the Panthers 7-1.
NOTES: Tampa Bay D Eric Brewer (965 NHL games) was a healthy scratch. "It's their decision," the 35-year-old Brewer said. "I don't like it. It's not easy." ... Lightning rookie F Jonathan Drouin (broken right thumb) is practicing with the team and nearing his NHL debut. ... Florida D Aaron Ekblad, selected first overall in the 2014 draft, had an assist in his NHL debut. ... Luongo needs one victory to tie John Vanbiesbrouck (374) for 13th place on the career list. ... Tampa Bay lost RW Richard Panik on waivers to Toronto. ... U.S. women's team player Anne Schleper will skate with the Lightning in practice Monday.