The Florida Panthers (52-24-6) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (45-29-8) don’t need added stakes for a fierce rivalry. However, it helps that they’re meeting in the postseason for the third time in four years. Game one is Sunday at 12:30 p.m. EDT. The Panthers get to host this series opener in Amerant Bank Arena.
Florida Panthers Preying on Another Deep Run
Roughly 365 days ago, the Florida Panthers were the lowest seed in the Eastern Conference and expected to bow out quickly. Instead, they were the last team standing on the eastern half of the continent. This postseason, expectations are different, as Florida is one of the favorites to win it all.
The Panthers have every right to be viewed favorably. They finished tied for the fewest goals allowed all season. Florida’s goal differential was also the NHL’s best. A four-game winning streak helped the Florida Panther steal the Atlantic Division crown at the end of the season and host at least two rounds of playoff hockey.
Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz were both top three goalies in GAA. Sam Reinhart’s 57 goals were the second-most in the NHL. No skater had a better plus/minus than Florida’s Gustav Forsling. This year’s Florida Panthers should like their chances against anyone.
Tampa Bay Lightning Eyeing Another Noisy Spring
The Lightning are not far removed from three straight Stanley Cup Finals appearances and consecutive titles. Tampa Bay still has the core from those teams intact. Yet, many are writing off the Lightning after they toiled in a wild-card spot for most of the season.
For this team, it all flows through Nikita Kucherov, a Hart Trophy candidate who led the NHL with 144 points. His 100 assists led the NHL and he became the third player to ever have 100 assists and 40 goals in the same season. The league’s best power play resided in Tampa Bay, which helped the team finish fifth in scoring.
Despite the NHL’s fifth-best penalty kill, the Lightning were 22nd in goals against this season. Defending the Florida Panthers 5v5 will be an issue. So will traveling, as Tampa was merely 20-18-3 on the road. Regardless, an elite goalie and the NHL’s top scorer form a formidable duo for every opponent.
What to Expect in Game One
The road team won all three regular-season matchups in this rivalry. Expect the Florida Panthers to change that, especially since the Lightning raced out to a 4-0 lead the last time that these teams clashed. Florida will set the tone in their home arena.
It won’t be easy, as this series will have phenomenal goaltending. Yet, physical play and the home crowd’s roar will help Florida grab control. In a chippy contest, anticipate the Florida Panthers taking an early lead and never looking back.
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