3 takeaways from Lightning’s exhibition win over Panthers in Orlando

ORLANDO — The stars weren’t out for the Lightning’s preseason game against the Florida Panthers Tuesday at Amway Center, but the night was important for players on the roster bubble.

Opportunities are drying up as the exhibition schedule winds down. The biggest competition is at forward, where four players — Alex Barre-Boulet, Gabriel Fortier, Austin Watson and Waltteri Merela — essentially are fighting for one or two spots.

Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev didn’t dress Tuesday, but they’ll get their work in over the final two games against Florida ahead of Tuesday’s opener against Nashville.

The Lightning claimed a 2-0 win over the Panthers, getting power-play goals from Tanner Jeannot and Nick Paul. Goaltender Jonas Johansson recorded his second shutout in as many preseason starts, stopping 25 shots against a Florida team that played its share of stars.

The meeting between the cross-state rivals at a neutral site between the two cities drew a crowd of 16,806.

The game was extremely physical, as the teams combined for 159 penalty minutes, including seven roughing calls, four fighting majors and 10 misconduct penalties. The teams will meet again Thursday in Tampa and Saturday in Sunrise. The Lightning (4-1-0) have scored seven power-play goals in 21 opportunities and are 18-for-19 on the penalty kill over their five preseason games.

Here are three takeaways from Tuesday’s game.

Defense has been a sum of its parts

In two preseason starts, Johansson has faced 67 shots and not allowed a goal. He had a 42-save shutout in his preseason debut, Friday’s 4-0 win over Carolina. Tuesday, he held the Panthers scoreless despite five Florida power plays and a second period that saw Florida launch 16 shots on goal.

But all in all, Johansson didn’t face many Grade-A chances — a handful at most — and his teammates played strong defense in front of him, blocking shots and letting him see the puck.

The Lightning have made some adjustments to their defensive system that they hope will lead to better protection in front of the net and decrease the number of high-grade chances they allow. It has certainly done that so far, and both Johansson and Matt Tomkins have been the beneficiaries.

“In the end, it starts with our team defense,” coach Jon Cooper said. “And (Johansson’s) made some big saves (Tuesday) on the penalty kill. So, it’s just part of our process of getting better as a team, and the goalie is definitely doing his part.”

Panthers bring out the intensity

The Lightning and Panthers always seem to bring out an edge in each other, even when the outcome doesn’t count. Tuesday’s game was by far the most physical of the preseason for Tampa Bay, with constant scraps and chirps between the teams.

“Guys are trying to make the team,” Cooper said. “Like, there’s guys on Florida trying to make the team. Both teams had some big names out of the lineup, but it’s when you get to these times and jobs are on the line, these guys are going to give it their all, and that’s what you’re seeing from both teams. And when that happens, usually the physicality starts going.”

The Lightning might have lost some toughness when they traded Pat Maroon, but with both Jeannot and Watson mixing it up, they showed they still don’t back down from a fight. Watson, who is trying to make the team on a personal tryout, logged 17 penalty minutes alone, drawing Matthew Tkachuk off the ice with matching slashing penalties and taking Sam Bennett off for 10 minutes with matching misconduct penalties.

“This is the first time I’ve played them with a Lightning jersey on, so I’m excited for these battles that we’re going to have with them this year,” said forward Mikey Eyssimont, who gave and took his share of hits.

Barre-Boulet needed a game like this

The Lightning are giving forward Alex Barre-Boulet, who is 26 and in his sixth camp with the team, every opportunity to make the opening-night roster, including minutes on the team’s third line and second power-play unit.

Barre-Boulet knows everything he does this preseason is under a microscope. He scored a power-play goal in his first exhibition game but was minus-3 in his second. And Tuesday didn’t start well when he missed a wide-open net.

But with the Lightning clinging to a one-goal lead in the third period, Barre-Boulet’s hard work on a 5-on-3 power play paid off. He launched a nasty one-timer from the right-circle, worked with Brandon Hagel to create another chance and then rocketed a shot from between the circles that Paul redirected past Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, earning the primary assist.

Barre-Boulet probably hasn’t earned a roster spot quite yet, but his play on Tuesday, which included a team-high five shots on goal, was a positive sign.

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