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When the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning face each other, it’s impossible to predict the outcome. Will it be a hockey contest or an MMA match? On Dec. 27, the NHL fans got two-in-one.
Ahead of Saturday’s game, the NHL warned both teams to remain in control. The in-state rivals had their own plans. Social media is overloaded with comments and rankings calling the Battle of Florida the best NHL rivalry.
After two relatively peaceful meetings this season, the in-state rivals let their guards down, and emotions ran high right after the Christmas break. Goals, blood, sweat – the Panthers and Lightning had it all.
The Lightning celebrated a 3-1 win at Amerant Bank Arena in November, with both teams recording 30 penalty minutes overall. On Dec. 15, the Panthers concluded a four-game road trip with a 5-2 win in Tampa. The opponents exchanged roughing calls and other pleasantries and rolled up 36 penalty minutes (17 for the Lightning and 19 for the Panthers). Sam Reinhart scored on a power play and shorthanded. The back-to-back champions dominated all over the ice, controlling the puck more effectively and pushing the Lightning leaders far from their net. Nikita Kucherov ended up with three shots on goal, no points, two penalty minutes, and a plus/minus of -2.
But the post-Christmas game was a different story. Both teams know that when Sergei Bobrovsky and Andrei Vasilevskiy, the best of the best, start in the net, they can afford extra fun on the ice – something like 136 penalty minutes.
So, Sam Bennett and Yanni Gourde set the mood less than four minutes into the opening period with double minors for roughing. Zemgus Girgensons joined the mission with a fine for cross-checking. After the first period, the Lightning were leading 2-1 in goals and 12-5 in shots. The teams split the penalty minutes 8-8.
The on-ice temperatures rose with each period, looking more and more like a mixed martial arts fight. The second period concluded with only two goals (Kucherov and Marchand), 8-8 in shots, and 21-21 in penalty minutes. Imagine five grown-up men trapped in one penalty box: Guentzel, Crozier, Cirelli, D’Astous (2+2), and Bjorkstrand (2+2). There was no room to seat everyone. But it was only the beginning. It looked like players were in and out of the penalty box all evening long.
The Panthers had 10 power plays but took advantage of only one. The Lightning had six. The third period was entirely devoted to brawls and sparring partners: endless roughing, slashing, boarding, unsportsmanlike conduct, and a lonely goal by Nikita Kucherov in an empty net.
The National Hockey League will probably issue another warning to both teams after 136 combined penalty minutes (49 for the Panthers and 87 for the Lightning).
The call-up from the Syracuse Crunch, Curtis Douglas, rolled up 26 out of the Lightning’s 87 penalty minutes. It was a good distraction as Kucherov stepped up with two goals, including a game-winning celly.
The Panthers lost 4-2, but they shared some good news the next day. Matthew Tkachuk is back on the ice with the team for the first time since his surgery and prolonged recovery.
The next episode of the Battle of Florida will take place in Tampa on Feb. 5, 2026.
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