Seth Jones Debüts, Florida Panthers Top Tampa Bay Lightning

Sunrise, Fla. – Seth Jones impressed his teammates in Florida Panthers in his debut on Monday evening, but it is everyone's assumption when Matthew Tkachuk will share the ice cream with his latest teammate.

Jones played almost 23 minutes and almost scored a goal in the defending champion of Stanley Cup Panther's 2-1 victory over the state rival Tampa Bay Lightning.

“He is an incredible skater, a great guy,” said goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky, who lasted 28 shots to help the Panthers stretch their winning streak to four games. “Both sides of the puck played well. I'm looking forward to having him. He is a great addition to our team.”

On Monday, the Panthers confirmed that their star striker Tkachuk had a long-term injured reserve with a violation of the lower assault. That means he will not be back for a few weeks – and possibly only in the off -season.

“Matthew will look for a long time,” said Bill Zito, General Manager of Panthers and Hockey Operations President, at the Jones' introductory conference. “We hope to get it back for the playoffs. You have a projection, you have a diagnosis and a rehab. How and where and how do the progress of this rehab must be determined.”

Losing Tkachuk, who has not played since the 4 nations' face-off tournament last month, is a big blow. Jones, the outstanding defender, who was purchased in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks over the weekend, is a big boost.

“I wanted to play for a candidate and Florida was obviously at the top of my list when it came to it,” said Jones, who has not appeared in a playoff game since 2020.

The Panthers fans were enthusiastic before the five-time all-star even took the ice on Monday evening, Jones welcomed with fervent applause and ovations when he was announced in the starting line-up in the Amerant Bank Arena of Florida. And they roared again when Jones scored almost one goal in the second half.

The plan was to make it easier for him to make it into things while he experienced the Eastern Conference and some new systems, but in a close game between two bitter rivals Jones received many special teams and helped kill Florida to kill seven punishments.

“He will be really good for us,” said coach Paul Maurice. “Moves the puck clean and he has a number of hands on it. So I thought that I was flying yesterday to come here, and then everything [being] Brand new, mostly he plays instinct out there. … I was really pleased. “

Only a few Panthers players know what Jones can bring than Bobrovsky, who played with him from the 2015-16 to 2018-19 season in the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“He was still incredible,” Bobrovsky recalled. “And, you know, he was a great skater. He was smart. It was a privilege to play with him. And I'm so happy to combine with him again.”

Bobrovsky had a new backup on the bench for this victory. After Florida transferred Spencer Knight to the Jones Deal on Saturday evening in the Blackhawks, veteran Chris Driedger (30) from the club partner of the club recalled. Dryer has NHL experience, including 31 career winners.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.