The Florida Panthers got a good result from the only game played in the Discover Central Division last night with the Tampa Bay Lightning beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 in overtime on Brayden Point’s game-winner.
Tampa Bay, as expected, remains in first place, and the overtime loss kept the Blue Jackets behind the Cats, who still hold down second place in the division despite playing only two games.
There will be two matches in the Central tonight. The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Chicago Blackhawks at 8 p.m. and the Dallas Stars will finally open its season by hosting the Nashville Predators at 8:30 p.m.
Emil Heieneman, Florida’s second round pick in 2020, scored his third goal of the season in Leksands IF 5-4 win over Frolunda in Thursday action from the Swedish Hockey League. Heineman finished the game with two shots on goal and +1 rating in 9:40 of ice time. The 19-year-old has 4 points in 25 SHL games.
Owen Lindmark set up a goal, blocked a game-high six shots, had one shot on net, won 9 of 25 faceoffs and finished with an even rating in Wisconsin’s 4-1 over Penn State, Lindmark, a fifth-rounder in 2019, has 3 goals and 11 points in 15 games for the Badgers this season.
Senior defenseman Tyler Inamoto did not suit up for Wisconsin against the Nittany Lions. Inamoto has 5 points (1G/4A) an +3 rating in 14 games for the 9-6 Badgers.
Panthers roster reserve Maxim Mamim registered an assist, two shots on goal and an even rating in 16:31 TOI in CSKA Moscow’s 3-2 win over Amur. The helper on Mario Kempe’s goal gave a Mamin 29 points (13G/16A), which is a new KHL career-high for the 26-year-old forward.