The preseason finale between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning erupted into chaos, combining for a staggering 322 penalty minutes and resulting in 16 ejections. Tensions reached new heights as multiple players faced disciplinary hearings following violent incidents during the game, with significant fines handed out for cross-checking and roughing. The NHL’s player safety department is investigating the fracas, which included a controversial goal being disallowed due to the presence of an ejected player on the ice. Observers noted that the excessive fighting and penalties overshadowed the spirit of the game, raising questions about the direction of NHL preseason matchups and the ongoing rivalry between these two teams.