Sunrise, FL (Sports Network) – Tomas Vokoun stopped 29 shots for his 40th career shutout as Florida dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-0, in the Panthers’ home opener.
David Booth had two goals and an assist, Bryan McCabe added four assists and Rostislav Olesz had a goal and two assists for the Panthers, who have won their past two games after dropping their first two.
It was Vokoun’s second straight shutout as he stopped 27 shots in a 3-0 blanking of Calgary on Thursday.
Dan Ellis was tagged for three goals on 15 shots and didn’t escape the first period for the Lightning, who were handed their first loss of the season after winning their first three games. Mike Smith finished the game between the pipes and stopped 20-of-23 shots.
Florida got the first goal of the game just 1:50 in on a rush play as McCabe’s backhand pass from the right circle to the slot was redirected into the net by Cory Stillman.
The Panthers then scored two goals separated by 48 seconds to take a 3-0 lead and chase Ellis from the net.
At the 14:25 mark, Booth got his first goal of the season when he slammed home a loose puck in front after a shot from Olesz at the right circle.
Moments later, a turnover in the Tampa end resulted in the puck eventually getting to the net and Steven Reinprecht backhanding it past Ellis, who was then pulled for Smith.
The change in net didn’t bother Florida though, as Dennis Wideman’s shot from the left circle hit off a Lightning stick and got past Smith for a power-play goal and a 4-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
Vokoun stopped 20 shots over the first two periods to keep Tampa Bay off the board.
Booth’s second goal of the game 7:49 into the third made it a 5-0 contest while Olesz scored with 2:35 left to cap the scoring.
Game Notes
The Lightning host Dallas on Monday…Florida has off until Thursday when it will host Dallas…Each team won three times in the series last season…Florida went 1-for-4 on the power play while Tampa failed to score on either of its chances.
10/16 22:09:09 ET