Game Thirty-Seven: Tampa Bay Lightning (20-13-3) at Florida Panthers (20-14-2)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Amerant Arena, The Other End of Alligator Ally

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -110

Know the Opponents: Litter Box Cats

The Tampa Bay Lightning have to shake off the holiday break hangover pretty quickly as they kick-start their schedule again with a Saturday Evening Main Event against the Florida Panthers. Based on their moves prior to the morning skate, it appears that there isn’t going to be a change in the line-up and Brandon Hagel will remain on the sidelines.

The team recalled Scott Sabourin and Steven Santini on Saturday. The decision on their level of participation will be up to Coach Jon Cooper. At least we know that Hagel will avoid getting hit in the head for the umpteenth time by a Panther since he won’t be in the line-up. If he isn’t able to go, the Lightning will have to find yet another way to beat their in-state rival.

Heading into the contest, the Lightning are in the third spot in the Atlantic Division, four points behind the Red Wings (but with two games in hand). The Panthers are lurking just a point behind Tampa Bay, so not only are bragging rights on the line (the season series is tied at one), but it’s never too early to build a gap in the points division. We’ve seen a lot of jockeying back-and-forth over the first few months of the season, and at some point the Bolts have to start putting some space between them and their rivals.

Oliver Bjorkstrand’s recent run of goals (4 in the last 6 games) has helped ease the loss of Hagel over the last couple of weeks, and Brayden Point has started to look like his old self since returning from his injury. They still need to be a little more consistent on the power play, especially against the Panthers, since the opportunities to take advantage should be plentiful.

The Lightning might not talk about it, and they might tell the press that this is just another game, but they don’t like the Panthers. They don’t like the way they play, or the liberties they take on the ice. Winning a physical battle against the Panthers would be nice, but it would be even better to beat them on the scoreboard.

Expect another entertaining match-up tonight.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards:

Yanni GourdeBrayden PointNikita KucherovJake GuentzelNick PaulOliver BjorkstrandPontus HolmbergAnthony CirelliZemgus GirgensonsJack FinleyDominic JamesGage Goncalves

Defense:

J.J. MoserDarren RaddyshRyan McDonaghCharle-Edouard D’AstousDeclan CarlileMax Crozier

Goaltenders:

Andrei VasilevskiyJonas Johansson

Florida Panthers

Forwards:

Eetu LuostarinenAnton LundellSam ReinhartA.J. GreerSam BennettBrad MarchandJesper BoqvistEvan RodriguesCarter VerhaegheNoah GregorLuke KuninJack Studnicka

Defense:

Gustav ForslingAaron EkbladNiko MikkolaSeth JonesUvis BalinskisJeff Petry

Goaltenders:

Sergei BobrovskyDaniil Tarasov