SUNRISE, Fla., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Ryan Malone scored in the fourth round of the shootout Friday night to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over Florida.
The Lightning let a two-goal lead get away, but came back to capture the first in a home-and-home series. The teams will meet Saturday in Tampa.
Each side scored twice in the first three rounds of the shootout, but Tampa Bay's Mike Smith stopped Stephen Weiss to start the fourth round. Malone then beat Craig Anderson to the stick side to end the game.
Steve Eminger had a goal and two assists to help Tampa Bay win its second straight, both coming on the road. Smith made 25 saves.
Florida lost for the third time in five games despite overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the third period. Cory Stillman brought the Panthers within one with 6:23 to play on a power-play goal and Bryan McCabe tied it with 14 seconds left in regulation.
Tomas Vokoun allowed three goals on 27 shots over two periods before Anderson came on to stop all eight shots he saw in the third and overtime.
