Florida Panthers (6-7-3 15P) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (8-8-2 18P)
- WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET – LBC GameThread right here at 6:30ish
- WHERE: Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL/
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- ON THE TUBE: FOX Sports Florida, SUN Sports
- ON THE DIAL: 560 WQAM, 640 WMEN, 107.9 WAXE, 97.7 The Wave, Panthers Official App (iOS, Android)
- SOCIALLY SPEAKING: #FlaPanthers, #TBLightning, #FLAvsTBL & if you’re feeling generous give us a follow @LitterBoxCats and toss us a “Like” at the LBC FaceBook page
- ENEMY INTEL: Raw Charge /
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- FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 1 of 5 (0-0)
- ALL-TIME vs TBL: 58W-37L-10T 5OTL 7SOL 360GF 219GA
- ALL-TIME at TBL: 25W-25L-6T 1OTL 2SOL 172GF 165GA
- LAST FIVE vs TBL: 1-3-1 12GF 19GA/
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- PROJECTED STARTERS: Luongo (4-6-2 .924/2.42 0SO), Bishop (6-7-1 .924/2.15 0SO)
- JAGR WATCH: All-time vs TBL (reg season): 71GP 34G-44A 78P 6GWG
- PLAYER STATS: Florida / Tampa Bay /
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- NOTES: This is the first of five meetings in 2015-16 between the clubs; they will face each other again Monday from Sunrise. The Bolts will be looking to win back-to-back games at home for the first time this season. The Panthers have been outscored 11-5 in three November road game losses (0-2-1). Tyler Johnson scored in all four meetings between the clubs last year, as Tampa Bay took three of four from the Cats. Projected starter Ben Bishop sports a career record of 6-1 with a 1.93 GAA against Florida.
- QUOTED:/
“I’m not expecting him Saturday. We’re looking at Monday, although I can’t say he’s not playing Saturday because I don’t know.”
– Gerard Gallant on Aleksander Barkov’s return, which evidently may or may not arrive this evening (Miami Herald)
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Last game for the Cats: 3-2 (reg) home loss Thursday to Buffalo. Past five: 1-3-1 11GF 18GA (streak: 1L)
Last game for the Bolts: 3-1 home victory over Calgary Thursday. Past five: 2-3 9GF 9GA (streak: 1W)
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NHL.com Preview:
The Tampa Bay Lightning won three of four games against the Florida Panthers last season. Three of the four games were decided by one goal, including an overtime win by the Lightning on a goal by defenseman Victor Hedman, with the home team winning each time. Center Tyler Johnson scored one goal in each game for the Lightning, while captain Ryan Callahan had three goals and two assists. Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau had two goals and three assists. (More)
Friday Practice Goodies:
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Saturday in the Atlantic Division (Standings / Panthers Playoff Chances):
- NY Rangers (12-2-2 26P) at OTTAWA (8-5-3 19P), 1:00
- DETROIT (8-7-1 17P) at BOSTON (7-7-1 15P), 7:00 NHLN
- San Jose (8-8 16P) at BUFFALO (8-8 16P), 7:00
- Vancouver (7-5-5 19P) at TORONTO (4-8-4 12P), 7:00
- Colorado (6-9-1 13P) at MONTREAL (13-2-2 28P), 7:00
- Idle: None
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Panthers, SoFla Media & Loyal Opposition on the Tweets
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