NHL
The Panthers and Lightning Starting Their Seasons with High Expectations
The interstate rivals open up their seasons against each other Saturday. The Panthers and the Lightning look to start their seasons on the right foot with high expectations after heartbreaking finishes to both of their seasons. This will be their first of four meetings this season. Tampa Bay had a 3-1-0 record against Florida last season.
Additionally, Florida and Tampa Bay have met three times during the preseason. The Bolts won two out of the three matchups, outscoring the Cats 11-7.
Tale of the Tape
Florida
Last season, the Panthers finished just one point out of the postseason. The Panthers were tied for the best post-all-star break record. This season, not only do they expect to make it to the dance, but they intend to win it all.
The Florida Panthers enter their historical 25th season with very few changes. They have new faces in Mike Hoffman, Bogdan Kiselevich (who is currently on the IR) and Troy Brouwer. In addition, the Cats have a new captain in Aleksander Barkov, their leading point scorer from last season. In addition, Roberto Luongo is still their No.1 goaltender and looks to pick up where he left off from last season as he claims he is on the most talented Panthers roster in his time there (Sun Sentinal). Expect him to get the nod for this matchup.
If Florida is looking to make a statement early in the season, it would be a huge one to defeat Tampa as the NHL.com Super 16 ranked the Lightning as the best team in the league right now. In addition, they may be able to put a bad streak to rest as the Cats have lost their last three trips to Tampa, including one in overtime. The Panthers have won two of their last three season openers.
Tampa Bay
Last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have crowned Atlantic Division champions, and well deserving of it. With talents like captain Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, the sky is the limit for this squad. In addition, Vezina trophy winning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy intends to be a brick wall this year. Look for him to guide the squad to another postseason trip. According to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the Tampa Bay Lightning have the best odds to win the Stanley Cup at 7/1.
Unfortunately, the Lightning’s glorious season came to an end after they lost to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. Washington went on to take home the Cup. Tampa does not intend to repeat this.
The Lightning look as strong as ever. Resigning their 100+ point scorer in Kucherov proves they intend to go all in. However, there will be one player missing from last year’s lineup, and that is Chris Kunitz as he walked during free agency. In addition, this will be the first game of new general manager Julien BriseBose as Steve Yzerman stepped down last month.
Recently, Tampa has had the upper hand against their younger brother. The Lightning have won four of their last five games against the Cats.
Injuries
Florida
Winger Jaime McGinn is expected to miss an extended period of time after going under the knife for a back injury.
Defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich is starting the season on injured reserve due to jaw surgery but is expected to return shortly.
Tampa Bay
Right Winger Ryan Callahan will start the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and will not see action until November.
Projected Lineups (according to Dailyfaceoff.com)
Florida
L1: Evgenii Dadonov-Aleksander Barkov-Nick Bjugstad
L2: Johnathan Huberdeau-Vincent Trochek-Mike Hoffman
L3: Frank Vatrano-Jared McCann-Denis Malgin
L4: Troy Brouwer-Derek Mackenzie-Colton Scevior
D1: Aaron Ekblad-Keith Yandle
D2: Mike Matheson-Mark Pysyk
D3: Alex Petrovic-Jacob Macdonald
G1: Roberto Luongo
G2: James Reimer
Scratches/injured: Mackenzie Weegar, Bogdan Kiselevich, Jaime McGinn, Maxim Mamin, Michael Haley
Tampa Bay
L1: J.T. Miller-Steven Stamkos-Nikita Kucherov
L2: Ondrej Palat-Braden Point-Yanni Gourde
L3: Alex Killorn-Anthony Cirelli-Mathieu Joseph
L4: Adam Erne-Cedric Paquette-Cody Conacher
D1: Victor Hedman-Dan Girardi
D2: Ryan Mcdonagh-Anton Stralman
D3: Braydon Coburn-Mikhail Sergachev
G1: Andrei Vasilevskiy
G2: Louis Domingue
Scratches/Injured: Ryan Callahan, Danick Martel, Slater Koekkoek
Social Media
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Photo Credit
Photo courtesy of the Miami Herald
