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Steven Stamkos scores gorgeous one-timer in Lightning's comeback vs. Panthers (Video)

Josh Cooper
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 18: Referee Gord Dwyer #19 signals a goal as Steven Stamkos #91 and Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate as Jason Demers #55 of the Florida Panthers reacts during the third period at the Amalie Arena on October 18, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Steven Stamkos #91 and Alex Killorn #17 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate as Jason Demers #55 of the Florida Panthers reacts during the third period at the Amalie Arena on October 18, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Getty Images)

Steven Stamkos’ one-timer from the goal line sent the Tampa Bay Lightning’s game against the Florida Panthers into overtime. His teammates then finished off their in-state rivals in a 4-3 shootout win.

The shot by Stamkos was all the talk after the game according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Stamkos said his goal was “probably one of the best shots of my career.”

Said forward Alex Killorn, “I was shocked he was trying to shoot it. It was kind of like a golf shot,”

The Panthers were understandably disappointed that they couldn’t stop Tampa’s potent attack down the stretch, which led to them giving up a point.

“You like to make those saves at the end, but sometimes it’s not possible,’’ Panthers goaltender James Reimer said according to the Miami Herald. “I felt, not too bad, you would like to win but I felt alright. First game of the season, getting to know the guys, getting to know the system and we’ll keep getting better and better. I felt it was a good stepping stone and I’ll be better next time.’’

The shootout between the two teams went 12 skaters overall before Brayden Point buried the game-winner. Aaron Ekblad was stopped by Ben Bishop on Florida’s next attempt to give Tampa the win. There was some controversy in the shootout. The Lightning thought they had won when Vincent Trocheck lost the puck on his attempt before shooting it into the net. After a video review, the goal stood.

Here is the explanation from the NHL on why the goal stood:

In the third round of the Panthers/Lightning shootout, video review determined that Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck kept the puck in motion towards the goal before his shot attempt. According to Rule 24.2 “The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete.”Good goal Florida.

“In the end, it all worked out,” coach Jon Cooper said. “So there was no controversy.”

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It was a big win for the Lightning as they try to establish Atlantic Division supremacy one year after the Panthers won the division. It was also big because the goal was vintage Stamkos.

Last season Stamkos’ pending unrestricted free agency was a worry and a distraction for the Lightning. But they re-signed him to an eight-year, $68 million contract and the type of play he made Tuesday probably made the team feel good about Stamkos’ decision to stay with the Lightning

Said Cooper about the goal, “There’s not many guys in the league that can do that. And by not many guys, you’re counting on one hand.”

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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