Mon Dec 23 23:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Panthers Sting Lightning with Two Short-Handed Goals in 4-2 Victory
**TAMPA, FL** – The Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Sunday night at Amalie Arena, fueled by an improbable two-goal outburst in a 42-second span during a single penalty kill. A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen each scored short-handed goals, stunning the Lightning and shifting the momentum decisively in Florida’s favor.
The Panthers’ penalty kill proved to be the difference-maker in a game where both teams had strong 5-on-5 play. Greer’s goal, a rebound off a Tomas Nosek shot, came after he stripped Nikita Kucherov of the puck. Luostarinen followed quickly with a breakaway goal after forcing a turnover from Anthony Cirelli. Florida coach Paul Maurice credited his team’s exceptional stick work and reads for the unexpected success on the penalty kill, noting this was their 10th shorthanded goal of the season.
Sam Reinhart led the Panthers’ offense with two goals, including an empty-netter. Spencer Knight stopped 19 of 21 shots for the victory. Brayden Point and Nick Paul scored for the Lightning, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves.
Despite the Lightning’s late push, including a goal from Point in the third period to cut the deficit to 3-2, the Panthers held on for their fourth straight win. The two teams meet again Monday in Sunrise for the second half of their home-and-home series. Lightning coach Jon Cooper admitted he couldn’t recall ever giving up two shorthanded goals on a single power play, emphasizing the significant impact of the momentum shift.
The game marked the end of Nikita Kucherov’s nine-game point streak for the Lightning while Brayden Point extended his own point streak to eight games.
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