Nikita Kucherov gets goal, ejection as Lightning blank Panthers

(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Nikita Kucherov netted the game-winner before being ejected and the Tampa Bay Lightning split their home-and-home set against the Florida Panthers by blanking the Stanley Cup champions 4-0 on Monday in Sunrise, Fla.

Lightning backup goaltender Jonas Johansson stopped 36 shots for his first shutout since October 2023.

Kucherov scored early but was assessed a game misconduct