Florida: 6-4-2 (14PTS)
Tampa Bay: 6-5-2 (14PTS)
Season Series: 2-0-0 (1SO)
Game Time: 5 PM EDT
Television: Fox Sports Florida, SUN Sports
Radio: 560 WQAM
The Lightning visit the Panthers for the second time this season. The Cats have repeated their domination of the Bolts so far this season, winning the first two games in the series. This Sunday afternoon game will feature two blue teams as the Panthers will take the ice in their third jerseys for the first time this season. The story line of the week is the goaltending. Scott Clemmensen made 31 saves in a 6-1 win for the San Antonio Rampage over the Toronto Marlies last night and Jacob Markstrom started on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks in what might have been his audition to stay in Florida for the season. Clemmensen is due to return to the Panthers after backing up Brian Foster in today’s game against the Texas Stars.
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News and Notes
Last meeting
The Cats spoiled the Bolts’ home opener when they won their best game of the season so far 7-4. The Panthers had 5 power play goals and a shorthanded goal and Jose Theodore had 35 saves in the win.
Last game
The Panthers went down early again as the visiting Blackhawks scored about four minutes into each of the first two periods to take a 2-0 lead. The Panthers and Jacob Markstrom held strong while the Cats peppered Corey Crawford with 43 shots. The first line came through at the end of the second period, with Stephen Weiss scoring the Cats’ first goal. Ed Jovanovski, who played his best game of the season, scored the tying goal with two minutes left when he tipped in a Dmitry Kulikov shot from the point. The Blackhawks would get the win on Patrick Kane’s shootout goal.
Lineup
Erik Gudbranson was a healthy scratch and Keaton Ellerby played in his place on Thursday night. Scott Clemmensen had the win in a 6-1 victory for the San Antonio Rampage over the Toronto Marlies. He is expected to rejoin the Panthers this week.
Injuries
- G Scott Clemmensen (knee), 9/26, 3-8 weeks (currently on AHL conditioning stint)
- Mikael Samuelsson (rehab from abdominal surgery), 10/24, week to week
Healthy Scratches
- D Keaton Ellerby OR
- D Erik Gudbranson
Starting goaltenders:
Starting goaltenders have not yet been announced. It can be reasonably expected that Roloson will start for the Lightning and Theodore for the Panthers, but Kevin Dineen may go with Markstrom again.
Lines
Forwards
- Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
- Kopecky-Santorelli-Upshall
- Sturm-Goc-Skille
- Bergenheim-Matthias-Bradley
Defense
- Campbell-Garrison
- Jovanovski-Gudbranson/Ellerby
- Kulikov-Weaver