Florida Panthers left-wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) lies on the ice after being injured from a hit by Tampa Bay Lightning right-wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during the first period of an NHL game at Amerant Bank Arena on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida. David Santiago [email protected]

Johansson made numerous key stops on breakaways in the game, one in which Florida outshot the Lightning 28 to 14 across the final two periods. Johansson’s 36-save shutout was his first of the season. Johansson has won his last three starts and boasts a .966 save percentage in those games.

For the second straight night, special teams proved to be the difference, but this time the Lightning won the battle.

T he rivalry between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers has quickly become one of the most fiery ones in the NHL. Appropriately dubbed the "Battle of Florida", these two