Jansen Harkins scored twice for the Tampa Bay Lightning, including a third-period goal that tied the game, but Tampa Bay lost 5-3 to the Florida Panthers in a preseason game Thursday.
The Lightning overcame multiple deficits before Florida reclaimed the lead six seconds after Harkins’ second goal. The Panthers added an empty-net goal in the final minute to secure the win.
Tampa Bay Lightning respond after early deficit
The teams combined for nine shots on goal in a quiet opening period. Florida broke the scoreless tie with 15 seconds remaining when Bokondji Imama scored on a net-front deflection.
The Panthers extended their lead 2:29 into the second period, but Tampa Bay answered with consecutive goals. Harkins cut the deficit to 2-1 when he accepted a drop pass from Ilya Mikheyev, moved to the left hashmark and beat Florida goalie Cooper Black with a snap shot inside the left post.
Benjamin Rautiainen then chipped the puck into open ice in the neutral zone, creating a two-on-zero chance for Sam O’Reilly and Conor Geekie. O’Reilly fed Geekie at the left post, and Geekie scored with 6:51 remaining in the second period to tie the game at 2-2.
Rautiainen, O’Reilly and Geekie also saw time on Tampa Bay’s special teams units. Geekie said the play came from winning an extra puck battle, while Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper praised the trio’s performance.
“The kids had a nice goal…The trio was great,” Cooper said.
Jansen Harkins ties game in third period
Florida regained the lead on a rush in the third period before Harkins answered again. Ryan McDonagh’s shot found Harkins near the net, and he buried the rebound with 14:31 remaining to make it 3-3.
“My game is speed, tenacity, being on the puck, and winning battles,” Harkins said.
Florida reclaimed the lead on a breakaway six seconds after Harkins’ second goal. The Panthers then scored into an empty net in the final minute for the 5-3 final score.
Lightning receive contributions throughout lineup
Eight Tampa Bay players recorded a point in the game. John Carlson played a team-high 23:51, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves.
Harkins’ first goal came with an assist from Mikheyev, and McDonagh assisted on his second goal. Rautiainen started the sequence that led to Geekie’s goal, with O’Reilly assisting on the finish.
Harkins said he wants to score while focusing on the qualities that can help him remain in the lineup.
“I want to score. It’s lots of fun to score. I had a blast out there today, and the fans were great, and it was really cool to be out there on this side. It’s always an electric barn…I really honestly try to focus on the things that are gonna get me in the lineup, keep me in the lineup. That’s moving my feet, being reliable with the puck and hard to play against. But obviously you wanna score, you wanna chip in,” Harkins said.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will close the preseason Saturday with a road rematch against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. The game will give Tampa Bay one final preseason opportunity after Thursday’s comeback effort ended in a loss.
FSB Take
Harkins supplied Tampa Bay’s top offensive performance with two goals, while Geekie, O’Reilly and Rautiainen produced the Lightning’s other goal. Tampa Bay tied the game at 3-3 but could not withstand Florida’s response six seconds later. The road rematch at Amerant Bank Arena is next for the Lightning as the preseason concludes.
Source: Original report