Anderson Shuts Out Tampa

On Sunday, Craig Anderson stopped 44 of 45 shots and David Booth scored the first hat trick of his career to push the Panthers past Anaheim by a score of 3-1, ending a six game losing streak in the process.

DeBoer chose to ride the hot hand in net tonight and carry that momentum forward, and the decision paid off. Playing a much more inspired game, the Panthers held the Lightning to 24 shots, all of which Anderson was able to stop.

Early on, penalties were nil and at full strength throughout, Florida held Tampa to only four shots, adding eight of their own. One of which was Bryan McCabe firing a shot by Mike Smith to put the Cats ahead late in the first.

Thirty-five seconds in to the second, the Panthers went on the man advantage for the first time on the night. There, Nathan Horton stole away the puck on a backhanded clearing attempt, walked out in front and let fly a blistering wrister that found the back of the net.

Later in the period, the Panthers capitalized on the power play for the second time of the night. During a tangle behind the Tampa net, Horton emerged with the puck and passed it high to Jay Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester drifted back and looked to McCabe who was ready for a one-time opportunity, but Bouwmeester instead threw the puck on net, and Gregory Campbell was there -- on the power play -- to deflect the puck past Smith.

Still standing strong, although only having faced 13 shots through two periods, was Craig Anderson.

As the third period moved along, the physical play picked up and Florida continued attacking. Eventually, it was Gregory Campbell getting rewarded with another goal, and another assist from Jay Bouwmeester, this time on a rush.

Nick Boynton and Ryan Craig dropped the gloves not long after with Boynton looking to have the clear advantage in the short scrap, and the game was over.

Nathan Horton never returned for the third period, but I'm not sure what the problem is. Hopefully it's nothing too serious..