Tampa Bay’s Scott Sabourin four games and J.J. Moser two games; Lightning fined 100,000 and coach Jon Cooper 25,000 after a penalty-laden preseason finale with Florida. Six Lightning AHL call-ups from Syracuse piled up 77 penalty minutes as chaos dominated the game, which featured 65 penalties, 13 game misconducts and 312 total penalty minutes.

Ekblad left early but practiced Monday and is expected to play Tuesday against Chicago. Moser’s boarding on Boqvist and a tangle surrounding Niko Mikkola’s earlier ejection produced a disallowed Boqvist goal and a night where benches swelled and focus shifted from hockey to discipline, setting a sharp contrast ahead of the season opener.

Florida Panthers routed the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in a preseason clash that turned into a penalties symphony, with 65 infractions for 312 minutes and 13 game misconducts. The chaos overshadowed the score as off-ice officials wiped a late eighth goal after realizing Niko Mikkola had been ejected earlier in the period. The night highlighted the rivalry’s edge and left fantasy managers eyeing how discipline and line changes could shape early-season roles.

Key moments included Scott Sabourin’s 19-second major on Aaron Ekblad and a flurry of power plays for Florida (17 chances). Jesper Boqvist scored what would have been the eighth Panthers goal before the tally was ruled off, underscoring the unpredictable nature of preseason optics as the teams prepare for the regular season.

Barkov left practice with a right-leg injury, prompting immediate evaluation as Florida opens camp without several veterans.

With Tkachuk out for weeks after offseason surgery, the Panthers must navigate early adversity, likely shuffling lines and the power play. Fantasy managers should monitor Barkov’s status closely and anticipate knock-on effects to top-line production and roster depth.

Barkov’s 71-point season (51 assists) and playoff totals (6 goals, 16 assists) underline his central role; any absence could pressure the Panthers’ attack and special-teams units until he returns. The team’s ability to weather this hit will shape October fantasy upside.

In a thrilling series, the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes showcased their resilience and skill as they battled through the Eastern Conference finals. Game 4 highlighted Logan Stankoven's remarkable wrist shot that sealed a shutout victory for Carolina, while Jesper Boqvist's impressive backhanding in Game 3 ignited Florida's momentum. Gustav Forsling quickly set the tone in Game 2, leading to Florida's aggressive performance against the Hurricanes, which continued despite Coach Paul Maurice's concerns over team execution. This intense competition is setting the stage for an exciting conclusion in the playoffs.

The Florida Panthers continued their playoff dominance with a commanding 5-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Veteran defenseman Gustav Forsling kickstarted the scoring just 77 seconds into the game, a move that set the tone for the Panthers' aggressive offensive strategy. Despite a strong start, Panthers coach Paul Maurice expressed dissatisfaction with some facets of the team's performance, signaling areas for improvement as they progress in the playoffs.

In Game 3, Jesper Boqvist's dazzling backhanded shot ignited a third-period surge that overwhelmed the Hurricanes, showcasing the Panthers' resilience and skill. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks made headlines by hiring Jeff Blashill as their new head coach, marking a strategic move to revitalizing the franchise. As the playoffs unfold, the focus remains on key players like Sergei Bobrovsky, whose exceptional goalkeeping has been crucial for Florida, and the explosive offensive talent from the Edmonton Oilers, highlighted by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who continue to make waves in their series.