The Florida Panthers are set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at Amerant Bank Arena, looking to secure their second three-game winning streak of the season. Currently, the Panthers hold a record of 9 wins, 7 losses, and 1 overtime loss, while the Lightning sit at 8 wins, 6 losses, and 2 overtime losses.
Florida opened a crucial five-game homestand with an impressive 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday. This match was notable for several milestones: Brad Marchand reached 1,000 career points with two assists, Evan Rodrigues and Seth Jones both scored their 100th NHL goals, and Gustav Forsling registered his 200th career point. Furthermore, Daniil Tarasov celebrated his first win as a Panther after making 37 saves in net. Sam Reinhart shone brightly in the game, taking home the First Star honors with two goals and an assist, while teammates Luostarinen and Anton Lundell also contributed significantly to the offense with a combined five points.
On the other side, the Lightning are looking to bounce back after suffering a heavy 7-3 defeat to the New York Rangers in their last outing. Despite their earlier success, having won seven of their previous eight games, this setback indicates the challenges they face. Jake Guentzel continues to lead Tampa Bay in scoring with 16 points, and he is among four players on the team, including Nikita Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli, and Brandon Hagel, each contributing seven goals this season.
Tonight’s game is not only a pivotal matchup in the Atlantic Division standings but also marks the first of four meetings between the two teams this season. With both teams eager for a win, spectators can anticipate an exciting contest. The puck drops at 5:00 PM ET, and fans can catch the game on Scripps and various radio stations, including 560 WQAM and 106.3 ESPN West Palm.
As these two rivals clash, the Panthers will look to maintain their momentum while the Lightning aim to rebound from their recent loss, promising an entertaining evening of hockey in Sunrise, Florida.