No favors from Tampa

This is no time of year for charity. And just because the Lightning are not going to be involved in the post-season this year, that does not mean they should be giving those near-neighbor Florida Panthers any gimmes.
The Panthers are in the middle of a playoff drive, attempting to qualify for the postseason for the first time in eight seasons, but Tampa's involvement will end in April.
But knowing time is at a premium can focus the mind, and in coming back from a two-goal third-period deficit to rally for a 4-3 shootout victory Tampa proved that theirs is solidly on the present.
Karri Ramo, who stopped 34 shots through regulation and overtime, halted all three shootout attempts while Steven Stamkos scored the lone shootout goal for Tampa Bay, which improved to 3-8 this season in shootouts.
It had looked like it would be so much different when Florida Michael Frolik trailed behind the play and took a pass from David Booth. Frolik was unchecked in the slot and beat Ramo with 4:11 left.
The Panthers took a 2-0 lead late in the second on Booth's 50th career goal, coming on the power play. After Stephen Weiss split the Tampa Bay defense, he drew Ramo outside his crease. With the net open, Cory Stillman banked a backhand shot off the post but the rebound fell to Booth, who slid the puck underneath a scrambling Ramo.
Tampa pulled one back with its third power-play goal this season against Florida 70 seconds later to cut the lead to 2-1. With Ville Peltonen in the penalty box for tripping, Marty St. Louis extended his scoring streak to five games when he slid a pass along the boards to former Florida defenseman Cory Murphy, who sent a quick wrist shot past the glove side of Tomas Vokoun. The goal was Murphy's fifth of the season.
Booth scored his second of the game 5:35 into the third period for a 3-1 lead, but St. Louis on a redirection from Lukas Krajicek with 6:18 left cut the deficit to one.
Petiot wasn't done contributing, however, as he found Jeff Halpern with 3:30 left to tie it.