Kucherov scores before game misconduct, Lightning get chippy 4-0 win over Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) and teammates celebrate against the Florida Panthers during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. Credit: AP/Rhona Wise
SUNRISE, Fla. — Nikita Kucherov scored before he was ejected for kneeing Matthew Tkachuk, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 4-0 in a chippy game on Monday night.
Jake Guentzel and Mitchell Chaffee also scored for Tampa Bay in its fifth win in six games. Brandon Hagel had an empty-netter, and Anthony Cirelli and Victor Hedman collected two assists apiece.
Jonas Johansson made 36 saves in his first shutout of the season and No. 4 for his career.
Florida had won four in a row, including a 4-2 victory at Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Tkachuk had to be helped off the ice and to the dressing room after Kucherov crashed into his right leg late in the first period. Kucherov was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit, and Tkahcuk returned a couple minutes into the second.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 stops for the Panthers.
Takeaways
Lighting: Hagel scored a short-handed goal with 5:42 left. The Lighting allowed two short-handed goals in the opener of the home-and-home set.
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mitchell Chaffee (41) scores against Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. Credit: AP/Rhona Wise
Panthers: Went 0 for 4 on the power play. They got off to a slow start and then played better in the second period, but couldn't finish their offensive chances.
Key moment
Chaffee made it 3-0 with his seventh goal of the season 16:24 into the first period. It was Tampa Bay's ninth power-play goal in December and No. 26 on the season.
Key stat
The Lightning were assessed nine penalties for a total of 37 minutes, and the Panthers were called for nine penalties for 26 minutes.
Up next
Both teams return to action on Saturday after the league's holiday break. The Panthers host Montreal, and the Lightning host the New York Rangers.
