Jan 26, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen (30) after a goal by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period. The Flyers won 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Florida Panthers (1-4-0) at Tampa Bay Lightning (4-1-0)
The Florida Panthers will be taking on their cross-state rival the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at 7:30 PM in Tampa. This will be the first of five meetings between the teams this year. Tonight’s game will be between two teams moving in opposite directions at this early stage of the season. The Lightning are currently riding a three game win streak and sit atop the Southeast division. Their goal differential of +11 is tops in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off a 5-1 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. The Panthers on the other hand were picked apart to the tune of 7-1 to that same Philadelphia team on Saturday night. The loss extended their losing streak to four games to go along with an NHL worst -11 goal differential.
Series History:
This is the first meeting this season between these division rivals. Last season, Tampa Bay took the series winning four out of the six games. After the Panthers won the first two early season games, Tampa seemingly figured the Panthers out sweeping the last four. The teams played each other close last year, except when they didn’t. Three of the six games were decide in overtime or a shootout while the other three were lopsided affairs. Scores included a 7-4 Panthers win and Tampa Bay victories of 5-1 and 6-3. (Source)
Players to Watch:
Familiar faces are leading the Lightning’s early season scoring. Martin St Louis leads the team with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists), and right behind St Louis is Steven Stamkos with 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists). (Source) For the Panthers, Kris Versteeg should be making his return to the lineup and the Panthers are hoping he will provided a boost to their woeful offense.
Injury watch:
As mentioned above, Kris Versteeg should be back tonight to make his season debut after sitting out the beginning of the season with a lower body injury. Erik Gudbranson remains out along with Marcel Goc, Stephen Weiss, and Sean Bergenheim. Here is the projected Panthers lineup per NHL.com:
Kris Versteeg – Tomas Kopecky – Tomas Fleischmann
Jonathan Huberdeau – Peter Mueller – Alex Kovalev
Scottie Upshall – Shawn Matthias – Drew Shore
George Parros – Jerred Smithson – Jack Skille
Ed Jovanovski – Keaton Ellerby
Pre-Game Points:
was
by the Panthers today and should be in tonight’s lineup. Shore has impressed and the only reason he was sent back to the Panther’s AHL affiliate the San Antonio Rampage was so he could participate in the
, a game in which he had a goal and an assist.
Jan 24, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Andre Benoit (61) and goalie Craig Anderson (41) stop a shot from Florida Panthers center Jonathan Huberdeau (11) during the second period at the BB