Schmidt scores again, Bobrovsky has 19 saves as Panthers beat Lightning 2-0 for 2-0 series lead
Share and Follow


TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nate Schmidt scored his third goal in two games, Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 shots and the Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round playoff series.

Sam Bennett added an empty-netter with 4 seconds left. Bobrovsky got his fourth career playoff shutout, and his first since Game 1 of last year’s Stanley Cup final against Edmonton.

Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 21 saves for Tampa Bay.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series will be Saturday at Sunrise.

Schmidt, who scored twice in Game 1, got the Panthers on the scoreboard 4:15 into the game following an icing call against Tampa Bay. Aleksander Barkov won the faceoff clean back to Sam Reinhart who passed it over to Schmidt for a one-timer from the right circle that beat Vasilevskiy.

The goal came after Tampa Bay misfired on two open looks when Jake Guentzel was alone at the post and missed the net 53 seconds in, then Brayden Point was open between the hashmarks and put a backhand chance wide at 1:52.

The Lightning, who finished fifth in the league on the power play in the regular season, went 0 for 5 and were held to just two shots on goal on the advantages.

Barkov left the game midway through the third period after a hit from Brandon Hagel, who received a five-minute major for interference on the play at 9:51. Barkov did not return.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Disney Settles for $10M Over Alleged Violations of Child Privacy Laws

by: Anna Kutz Posted: Jan 1, 2026 / 07:54 PM EST Updated:…

Disney Settles for $10M Over Alleged Child Privacy Law Breaches, Strengthening Online Safety Measures

by: Anna Kutz Posted: Jan 1, 2026 / 05:41 PM EST Updated:…

Gravy Dispute Escalates to Stabbing Incident at Las Vegas KFC

A bizarre and violent incident unfolded at a KFC in North Las…

Maduro Signals Willingness for U.S. Dialogue on Drug Trafficking, Remains Mum on CIA Operation

CARACAS – In a recent televised interview, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed…

Tragic Motorcycle Accident on I-20 in Columbia County Follows High-Speed Pursuit

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – Early on the morning of December 31, a…

Minnesota Daycare Blames YouTube Video for Major Vandalism Incident

A daycare center in Minnesota reported significant vandalism on Wednesday following the…

Tennessee Highway Patrol Reviews New Year’s Eve Safety Efforts and Sets Vision for 2026

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — As the festivities of New Year’s Eve fade…

Firefighters Combat Blaze at New Smyrna Beach Residence

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A blaze erupted early Thursday morning at…