Lightning Strike Hard as Panthers Limp Into Olympic Break After 6-1 Rout
The Florida Panthers didn’t just lose their final game before the NHL’s Olympic break-they got steamrolled.
In front of a raucous crowd at Benchmark International Arena, the Tampa Bay Lightning lit the lamp six times in a dominant 6-1 win, sending a message loud and clear as both teams now pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Clad in their sharp Stadium Series threads, the Bolts looked every bit the part of a contender, scoring two goals in each period and flexing their depth and physicality from start to finish.
Lightning in Full Control
Tampa Bay spread the wealth offensively, with six different players finding the back of the net: Brandon Hagel, Zemgus Girgensons, Jake Guentzel, Erik Cernak, Pontus Holmberg, and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Guentzel’s tally came on the man advantage, while Cernak’s was his first of the year-a nice bonus for the blueliner. Holmberg’s goal was the dagger, ending Daniil Tarasov’s night with just under 14 minutes to go in regulation.
Tarasov, who had been solid in stretches this season, faced 25 shots and stopped 20 before exiting with a lower-body injury. It was a rough outing for the 24-year-old, who looked out of rhythm from the opening puck drop.
Samoskevich Spoils the Shutout
The lone bright spot for Florida came midway through the third period when Mackie Samoskevich broke up Andrei Vasilevskiy’s shutout bid. The second-year winger, who’s had a tough time converting chances lately, buried a power-play goal off a slick feed from Jesper Boqvist, ringing a shot off the post and in from the right circle.
It was just Samoskevich’s second goal of 2026 and his sixth on the season. Anton Lundell also picked up a helper on the play, becoming the fifth Panther to hit the 40-point mark this season.
For Boqvist, the assist was his first point since December 20, snapping a lengthy drought to open the new year.
Tempers Boil Over
If the scoreboard wasn’t enough, the physical tone of the game made it clear: these two teams don’t like each other. The game featured a staggering 147 combined penalty minutes and 51 hits, with the Lightning owning that category 34-17.
Things reached a boiling point early in the third period when Matthew Tkachuk delivered a shot to the back of Nikita Kucherov during a stoppage, sending the Lightning star to the ice and igniting a full-on melee. Brandon Hagel came to Kucherov’s defense, throwing punches at Tkachuk-though not many found their target.
Amid the chaos, mild-mannered defenseman Gustav Forsling surprised everyone by dropping the gloves and decisively handling J.J. Moser in a rare fight.
Tired Legs, Tough Timing
It’s hard to ignore the context here. Florida was coming off an emotional, must-win battle against the Boston Bruins the night before. With a depleted lineup and tired legs, the Panthers just didn’t have the juice to hang with a surging Tampa squad that’s found its rhythm heading into the break.
The loss leaves Florida eight points back of the Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with just 25 games left to make up ground. It’s a steep hill to climb, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
Looking Ahead
The Olympic break could be a blessing in disguise for the Panthers. A chance to reset, get healthy, and hopefully return with reinforcements in time for the stretch run. Florida’s next game comes on February 26 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Sunrise-a matchup that could set the tone for the final push.
Quick Hits from the Stat Sheet:
- Mackie Samoskevich ended a five-game goalless streak with his sixth goal of the season-his third on the power play.
- Jesper Boqvist picked up his eighth point of the season and first since December 20.
- Anton Lundell joined the 40-point club for the third time in his five-year NHL career.
- Mikalus Hovorka, making his NHL debut, finished minus-three with three giveaways in 11:27 of ice time.
A tough welcome to the big leagues.
- Sergei Bobrovsky came in relief and gave up one goal on three shots, with Bjorkstrand cashing in after a Hovorka turnover.
The Panthers have work to do-and not much time to do it. The Olympic break brings a pause, but when the puck drops again later this month, it’s go time in South Florida.