Game Day Preview: Game 4, Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
by John Beatty on Oct 17, 2011 2:00 PM EDT
in Florida Panthers Game Previews: '11-12
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Florida: 2-1-0 (4PTS)
Tampa Bay: 1-2-2 (4PTS)
Season Series: 1-0-0 (1SO)
Game Time: 7:30 PM EDT
Television: Sun Sports
Radio: 560 WQAM
Tonight the Lightning host the Panthers in the second of the teams home and home openers series. Like the Panthers, the Lightning have upgraded their arena over the summer and this will be the fans' first chance to see the changes. The two teams are currently tied for points, sitting third and fourth behind Carolina in the Southeast Division. The Panthers spotted the Lightning a point last night, but both teams will be looking to finish this one in regulation to put some space between them and their opponent. Tonight's game will not be broadcast on television by the Panthers, but will be on Sun Sports for anyone who is not blocked from Lightning games, or on Center Ice's free preview for everyone else. Red Deer Randy Moller will also be calling the game on the radio, so all of those who don't like the Lightning announcer team can always put the radio sound on.
More from our Tampa Bay cohorts at Raw Charge.
Panthers vs Lightning coverage coverage at SB Nation.
TSN Preview.
LBC Game Thread will open 30 minutes prior to puck drop.
News and Notes
Last meeting
The Panthers beat the Lightning 3-2 in a shootout in the Cats' home opener. Marc-Andre Bergeron scored the two Lightning goals, while Ed Jovanovski, Kris Versteeg had the goals and Marcel Goc the shootout game winner for the Panthers. Steve Downie and Erik Gudbranson fought in the second period and picked up a combined 35 penalty minutes: Fightning majors, Unsportsmanlike Conduct and a 10 Minute misconduct each, plus an Instigation for Gudbranson. The story of this game was that the Lightning continued their shaky season start and the Panthers didn't do enough to take advantage. The Lightning hung on and tied the game twice after the Panthers got the lead. Jose Theodore was perfect in the shootout while Lightning goalie Mathieu Garon attempted to poke check Marcel Goc, who slipped the puck under him for the only goal of the shootout.
Lineup
Injuries
- G Scott Clemmensen (knee), 9/26, 3-8 weeks
- F Mike Santorelli (shoulder), 9/27, 2 weeks
Healthy Scratches
Starting goaltenders
Jose Theodore will start again for the Panthers, while Dwayne Roloson will go for the Lightning's home opener.
Lines
Forwards
- Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
- Booth-Kopecky-Upshall
- Bergenheim-Goc-Skille
- Bradley-Matthias-Carter
Defense
- Campbell-Garrison
- Jovanovski-Gudbranson
- Kulikov-Weaver
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Comments
You know what’s really refreshing and nice? The lines haven’t changed yet :)
by Ryan Meier on Oct 17, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Don’t know if that’s a dig at DeBoer, but he used to change them all the time and it drove me absolutely nuts. Maybe it was just me. =\
IT WASN'T JUST YOU!!
Drove me batty… How are our boys supposed to gel with each other if they’re on the ice with different linemates every shift? I am absolutely loving Kevin Dineen…
COMPLETELY agree. It is a nice change to see the same lines every game. I can understand a change for injury or to get Ellerby in, but otherwise just keep em the same.
I think Dineen was just the guy for the Panthers job, best fit since Doug MacLean’s first few years.
by saskpantherfan on Oct 17, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
what happens when Santerelli gets back?
I think that will be the end of Carter but the line shuffle will be interesting. Kopecky drops, Bergerhiem drops?, Carter to San Antonio? Good problem to have.
by Ad1zzl3 on Oct 17, 2011 2:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think you’ll see a drop from Kopecky to 3rd line wing and Bergenheim taking the 4th line spot for Carter who will be a healthy scratch (I don’t think he’ll be sent to SA)… Although I feel like Bergenheim on the 4th line is sort of a waste of his talent… Hard to say what they end up doing with him.
Maybe Goc centers the 4th line with Matthias moving over to wing with Bradley on the other side and Bergenheim playing on the line with Kopecky playing center and Skille on the other side.
Overall though I’d say yea, Carter is the odd man out…
Or what you could do since it seems to be working so far is LEAVE THE LINES ALONE and throw Santorelli on the 4th for the time being..
Just because he had a decent season last year doesnt mean everyone should bow their heads and slowly back off to allow him to take whatever roster slot he had last yr.
sure he’s skilled and can score here and there but our combos are working well so far, just replace Carter for now and leave it at that.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 17, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
plus there is no way Goc Bergenheim and skille are getting split up with the way they’ve played
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 17, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you guys for now but if they don’t start scoring more than 2 goals a game changes will start happening. It’s early yet and I know there is a boatload of new players so I don’t want to get on anyone too hard but Carter has not impressed and while Bergenheim has been OK (think he is getting carried by Goc and Skille to some degree) they are paying him a lot of money to be more than be OK.
would also like to see a little more from Upshall tonight.
random panther thought: in hindsight the Islanders win is a lot more impressive today.
For real. That Islanders team finally looks like it’s turning a corner. Good on them too.
The Ghost of David Nemirovsky
by panthersfan27 on Oct 17, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
I think Goc and Skille need to be attached permanently.
Bergenheim has been OK, but I imagine Kopecky or Santorelli could be slotted into his place with no negative change.
However I gotta agree that they cant just say, “Here is your spot back” when he returns. Look at the top line, Booth was up there most of last year, but slid back for the more skilled Versteeg and Flash.
Santorelli actually did 4th line duties last year anyhow, so if I was a betting man upon his return the lines should look like this:
14-9-32
10-82-19
20-57-12
13-18-22
by saskpantherfan on Oct 17, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont’ know what should be done when Santo gets back, but all i’ll say is that he looked GREAT in preseason. That doesn’t warrant breaking up some chemistry, but i just wanted to toss that out there. He could easily put up another 20g season.
by Holy Jokinen on Oct 17, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
When anyone has free time, can someone try to find a online video-feed for tonight? I dont mind listening to Moller, but I’d love to see the video portion of the game. Thanks!
- Go Panthers -
is it cool to post a link to an online stream here?
if so, ill post a good steady one for the whole season, otherwise just shoot me an email and i will share the wealth.
by stopdropandbreathe on Oct 17, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s okay. If not, I totally would love to get a link to your stream!
The Ghost of David Nemirovsky
by panthersfan27 on Oct 17, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
LBC staff cannot personally publish the links, however if you feel so inclined… ;) ;) ;)
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Oct 17, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure if this will be working at game time…
http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/86598/1/watch-tampa-bay-lightning-vs-florida-panthers.html
If you have cable or satellite or whatever, most systems are running a free preview of Center Ice until the 28th and you should be able to get that even if you’re in a region where Lightning games are blacked out on Sun Sports. That may mean you can get it on Sun or you may have to find the Center Ice channels, depending on your provider.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
It’s a “Versus Night”, which may or may not affect this one being carried on GCL or Center Ice…
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Oct 17, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
No blackout splashscreen on GCL at the moment.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Oct 17, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
DirecTV is carrying it; schedule here.
Presumably this means we’re OK if utilizing a cable carrier for Center Ice. No promises ;)
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Oct 17, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Center Ice has it here in Canada tonite.
by saskpantherfan on Oct 17, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn’t affect Center Ice. Affects the game being broadcast at all. Since the Versus blackout doesn’t affect Canadian stations, there are almost always Canadian games available on Center Ice on blackout nights.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Watching the highlights for the home opener, and it’s crazy to see the transformation the club and the arena has gone through in the offseason. It hasn’t hit me yet, I guess. It looks like some other big market arena. The home sweaters are ridiculously beautiful.
Now we just need to achieve this for every regular season game.
Here’s the link to the highlights from NHL.com for those interested.
Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215
It is also very nice
To hear some good buzz about our team from the NHL Network. Finally!!!
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