Late Goal Puts Dent in Florida’s Playoff Hopes

The Florida Panthers saw their two-game win streak come to a quick end with a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

Florida is trying to cling to its slim chance of making the postseason and this loss could prove to be costly. The Panthers remain in tenth place in the Eastern Conference and are five points back of eighth. With only nine games remaining, Florida will need a good deal of help to reach the playoffs.

Roberto Luongo was not at his best in his third game since returning from injury. The goalie allowed four goals on 25 shots. The effort followed on two very solid games from Luongo to keep Florida's hopes alive.

Tampa Bay jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after one period before Florida rallied with three goals of its own in the second. The Lightning would add two goals in the final period including one at the 17:32 mark.

Jussi Jokinen got the Panthers on the board first with his seventh goal of the season at the 6:16 mark of the second period. The goal was assisted on by Brad Boyes and Erik Gudbranson.

It only took 18 seconds for Florida to add another goal and tie the game up. Brandon Pirri got a helping hand from Vincent Trocheck on his 18th goal of the year.

Continuing the barrage of goals was Jonathan Huberdeau less than two minutes later. It was Huberdeau's 12th goal of the year and it was assisted on by Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr.