REVIEW: Panthers 2, Lightning 1 (OT)

“Don’t worry,” Dalpe said of Davies. “I’ve loved his game since he came to Charlotte last year. It’s built like a vending machine. He puts his body at risk. I love the way he plays.”

The Panthers once again showcased their penalty kill prowess and managed to maintain their lead as they held off an extended 4-on-3 power play for the Lightning. Calm, cool and collected between the pipes, Spencer Knight was, above all, a rock.

Seeing the puck well throughout the game, Knight made another crucial save early in the third period when he stopped a laser shot from JJ Moser to keep the Lightning off the court.

Knight finished the game with 26 saves.

“I thought it was a good preseason game,” Knight said. “Throughout camp, I focused on not thinking so much and just going out there and playing. I think it starts in practice. Instead of trying to work on something or a specific thing, I just went out and played.”

After a big faceoff win in Brayden Point’s offensive zone, Kucherov pounced on the puck and tied the Lightning’s score with a blistering one-timer to make it 1-1 at 15:27.

As the game went into overtime, Anton Lundell wasted no time, intercepting a pass and quickly going the other way. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to make a clean breakaway, he dropped the puck back to Vilmanis, who beat Vasilevskiy from close range and secured the 2-1 win.