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The NHL dolved on Monday, after Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning’s rivalry appeared a notch during their last trial match.
Lightning Forward Scott Sabourin was suspended in four games and defender JJ Moser received a two-game ban for their actions in the game on Saturday night. The NHL also offered the lightning organization $ 100,000, and head coach Jon Cooper was fined $ 25,000.
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Tampa Bay Lightning Right Wing Scott Sabourin (46) and Florida Panthers Defender Aaron Ekblad, right, trade blows in the first period of an NHL Hockey Preseason Game, Saturday 4 October 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
The chaotic matchup saw the judges call 65 sanctions in 312 minutes, including 13 game conditions. Tampa Bay committed seven in the game and six were called in Florida. Panthers received 17 power-play chances, according to the NHL.
The players started their march to their bin when Sabourin went after the Panthers star Aaron Ekblad. Sabourin received a major penalty after playing only 19 seconds.
The game was spiraling from there as the judges tried to get things under control. Florida’s eighth goal was interrupted after Panthers defender Niko Mikkola was credited with an assist. He had already been thrown out earlier in the third period.
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Tampa Bay Lightning Right Wing Scott Sabourin (46) and Florida Panthers Defender Aaron Ekblad (5) fight in the first period of an NHL Hockey Preseason Game, Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Florida won the game, 7-0. The chaos followed that the two teams spoke 49 sanctions and 186 minutes in a previous competition on the forecast.
“I think someone who has been part of this rivalry would probably look at this box score and a, not be surprised and B, I can’t believe it’s taken so long for something similar to happen,” Cooper said on Saturday.
Panthers Frem Evan Rodrigues added that the game “became stupid at the end of it.”
“It wasn’t really hockey out there,” he added.
Florida Panthers defender Aaron Ekblad (5) and Tampa Bay Lightning Right Wing Scott Sabourin (46) fall to the ice during the first period of a NHL Hockey Preseason Game, Saturday 4 October 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
It seemed to be a starter of what the regular season will bring. Florida and Tampa Bay play each other four times from November 15.
Florida enters the season as two-time defender Stanley Cup champions.
