SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers certainly are not putting a lot of stock in results of preseason games, but seeing their younger players put up a second straight strong showing against the rival Lightning sure ended camp on the right note.
On Thursday, Florida’s young lineup went to Tampa and beat a veteran-heavy Lightning squad.
Saturday, the lineups were more even but the Panthers could not repeat their winning ways in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Lightning.
Florida went 2-0-2 in this abbreviated preseason.
The Panthers will now begin taking a sledgehammer to their training camp roster — three players were put on waivers Saturday afternoon — with the season opener on Tuesday in Raleigh against the Hurricanes.
Saturday night, Florida gave backup Akira Schmid his first start and he made 20 saves in 65 minutes of action.
The Lightning went 2-for-3 in the shootout.
Florida’s young defensive core looked good again Saturday with 20-year-old Matvei Shuravin (a third-round pick two years ago who makes his North American pro debut this year) scoring the go-ahead goal in the second.
Marek Alscher and Mikulas Hovorka, who got time with the Panthers last season, also continued their strong camp.
So, too, did Donovan Sebrango who laid out to block a shot which may have saved a second-period goal.
Sandis Vilmanis was one of a handful of Panthers who should be in the Opening Night lineup Tuesday and he had a nice goal off a turnover from down low.
Before Saturday’s game, Florida put three players on waivers in order to report to Charlotte: D Toby Bjornfot, D Casey Fitzgerald, and F Angus Crookshank. More will be coming on Sunday.
HOW THEY SCORED
Lightning 1, Panthers 0 (8:50 1st): Lucas Mercuri gets right into position in front of the net and buries a feed from Nicholas Abruzzese to beat Akira Schmid.
Panthers 1, Lightning 1 (17:58 1st): Sandis Vilmanis hops on a loose puck deep in the Lightning zone and snaps one past Dennis Hildeby for his second of the preseason.
Panthers 2, Lightning 1 (2:03 2nd): 20-year-old defenseman Matvei Shuravin continues to impress, his hard shot from the point sailing past Cole Rienhardt in front.
Lightning 2, Panthers 2 (12:58 3rd PP): Benjamin Rautainen scores from down low.
Lightning 3, Panthers 2 (SO): Lightning go 2-3 in the shootout for the win.
ON DECK: 2026-27 OPENING NIGHT
FLORIDA PANTHERS at CAROLINA HURRICANES
When: Tuesday, 5 p.m.
Where: Lenovo Center; Raleigh, NC
National TV: ESPN; National Streaming: Disney+, Hulu
Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM; Streaming: SiriusXM, NHL App
Series Schedule — At Florida: Jan. 21, March 10. At Carolina: Tuesday
Last Regular Season: Panthers Won 2-1
All-Time Regular Season Series: Carolina/Hartford leads 75-50-11, 11 ties
Postseason History: Florida 2-0 (d. Carolina in 2023 ECF in 4; 2025 ECF in 5)
Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m.
George Richards is the publisher of Florida Hockey Now and has been the beat writer covering the NHL Florida … More about George Richards, FHN Publisher