Panthers welcome Lightning to town
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Florida Panthers have been struggling lately and hope a showdown with the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at BankAtlantic Center will get them back on the right track.
The Panthers have lost two straight and three of four games, including Thursday's 3-2 shootout loss versus Chicago. Stephen Weiss and Ed Jovanovski both scored and Jacob Markstrom made 31 saves for the Panthers, who have suffered back-to-back shootout losses to begin a three-game homestand.
Jovanovski tied the game with just over two minutes left in regulation, making it the fourth straight contest in which Florida has scored with less than three minutes left in regulation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We had possession of the puck, made a good low to high play and I was down there already. I just wanted to get in front of the net and get a stick on it," Jovanovski said.
Panthers forward Tomas Fleischmann extended his points streak to six games, while winger Sean Bergenheim returned to action after missing seven games with a lower-body injury.
Tampa Bay has won five of seven games since a five-game slide and recorded a 5-4 overtime victory versus the Blackhawks Friday night.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Vincent Lecavalier scored with 53.7 seconds left in overtime to lift his team victory and Steven Stamkos posted his fourth career hat trick for Tampa Bay, which extended its home winning streak to four games.
"Once we get settled in," said Stamkos. "We're a tough team to play against. They didn't get much in the third period and we had some chances. It's a good team win. Hopefully that builds some confidence."
Martin St. Louis added three assists and has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight games. Brett Connolly scored his second NHL career goal and has two goals in his last two games. Lecavalier posted his fourth game-winning goal of the season, which leads the NHL.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Lightning lost a home-and-home series with Florida from Oct. 15-17 this season. The Panthers have won nine of the last 13 meetings between the teams
Tampa Bay has lost two straight, seven of 11 and 11 of its last 16 trips to Sunrise, FL.