Kucherov had only seven shots on goal in five games. He avoided the battle areas quite a bit. When the Panthers hit him — and they did often — he didn’t like it. He threw fits on the ice and the bench. He let the Panthers get to him early and often.

Sam Bennett had just been freed from the penalty box late in the second period Wednesday and broke for the net. It was the second time he was in the box in the frame, and the Florida Panthers lost their lead to the Tampa Bay Lightning the first time he was called for a penalty. He made up for it the second time around.