The Tampa Bay Lightning edged the Florida Panthers 3-2 after extra time at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday. Benjamin Rautiainen tied the game late in regulation before scoring the deciding goal in the third round of the shootout to secure the preseason win.
Lucas Mercuri opened the scoring for Tampa Bay at 8:50 of the first period with a snap shot assisted by Nick Abruzzese and Jeffrey Viel. Sandis Vilmanis answered for Florida at 17:58 of the opening frame on a wrist shot set up by Kai Schwindt. Early in the second period, Matvei Shuravin gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead with an even-strength wrist shot at 2:03, with assists from Gracyn Sawchyn and Mikulas Hovorka. Rautiainen drew the Lightning even at 12:58 of the third period, beating the goaltender on a power-play wrist shot with assists from Gage Goncalves and Conor Geekie.
Both goaltenders faced 22 shots on the evening, with Tampa Bay goalie Dennis Hildeby making 20 saves to record the win and Akira Schmid stopping 20 pucks in the overtime loss for Florida. The Lightning finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while the Panthers were unable to convert on three opportunities with the man advantage.
Tampa Bay visits the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 10:30 PM ET. Florida travels next to face the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET.
