Lightning, Panthers hear from NHL after chaotic preseason finale

The NHL on Monday distributed a punishment after the Florida Panthers and the Rivalry of Tampa Bay Lightning revealed a notch in their last pre-season match.

Lightning striker Scott Sabourin was suspended for four games and defender JJ Moser received a two -game ban on their actions in the match on Saturday evening. The NHL also inflicted a fine of the $ 100,000 Lightning organization and head coach Jon Cooper was fined $ 25,000.

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The right wing of Tampa Bay Lightning Scott Sabourin (46 years old) and the defender of the Panthers of Florida Aaron Ekblad, on the right, of the trade blows during the first period of a pre-season match of the NHL hockey, on Saturday October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (AP photo / Lynne Sladky)

The chaotic match saw the referees call 65 penalties for 312 minutes, including 13 misconduct. Tampa Bay hired seven in the match and six were called in Florida. Panthers received 17 chances of electric play, according to the NHL.

The players started their walk to the Sin bac when Sabourin went after the star of the Panthers Aaron Ekblad. Sabourin received a major penalty after playing only 19 seconds.

The game died from there when the referees were trying to master things. Florida’s eighth goal was canceled after the defender of the Panthers, Niko Mikkola, was credited with a decisive pass. He had already been expelled earlier in the third period.

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The right wing of Tampa Bay Lightning Scott Sabourin (46) and the defender of the Panthers of Florida Aaron Ekblad (5) fight during the first period of a NHL hockey pre-season match, on Saturday October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (AP photo / Lynne Sladky)

Florida won the match, 7-0. The chaos followed after the two teams collected 49 penalties and 186 minutes during a previous pre-season competition.

“I think that anyone who is part of this rivalry would probably examine this box score and one, would not be surprised and B, I cannot believe that it took so long for something like that,” said Cooper on Saturday.

Panthers striker Evan Rodrigues added that the game “had become stupid at the end”.

“It was not really hockey,” he added.

The defender of the Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad (5) and the right wing of Tampa Bay Lightning Scott Sabourin (46) fall on the ice during the first period of an NHL pre-season pre-season match, on Saturday October 4, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. (AP photo / Lynne Sladky)

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It seemed to be an aperitif for what the regular season will bring. Florida and Tampa Bay will be played four times from November 15.

Florida enters the season as two champions in title of the Stanley Cup.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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