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