The Florida Panthers return from their holiday break to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a crucial Battle of Florida matchup at Amerant Bank Arena. Both teams are separated by just one point in the Atlantic Division standings, making this game vital beyond regional pride.
The Panthers come off a strong stretch, winning eight of their last 10 games. Their recent triumph featured a remarkable comeback against the Carolina Hurricanes, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 5-2, demonstrating resilience despite injuries. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad emphasized the team’s grit, noting their ability to overcome adversity and maintain their position in the standings.
Brad Marchand has been instrumental for Florida, leading the team with 41 points and riding a six-game point streak. Forward Mackie Sasmokevich practiced on game day and remains a game-time decision, while Sergei Bobrovsky will again start in goal. Bobrovsky holds a 16-win tally, tied for the league lead, and has a solid record against Tampa Bay this season.
The Lightning also enter the game on a positive note after breaking a three-game losing streak with wins over the Hurricanes and Blues. Darren Raddysh led Tampa Bay’s recent surge, earning first-star honors in the latest game, while goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy boasts a strong 13-7-2 record and a respectable 2.32 goals-against average.
Nikita Kucherov heads the Lightning’s offense with 45 points, followed by Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel. Tampa Bay’s power play, helped by Kucherov and Guentzel, has been productive, but Florida’s penalty kill remains stout in December at 89.7%, posing a significant challenge.
Injuries have impacted both squads, with Tampa Bay sidelined by the absence of Victor Hedman, Brandon Hagel, and Ryan McDonagh. The Lightning recently recalled Scott Sabourin and Steven Santini from the AHL to bolster their lineup. Florida’s Paul Maurice praised the defensive efforts of Evan Rodrigues, particularly for disrupting opposing plays and creating offensive opportunities.
Projected lineups highlight key matchups, with Florida’s top forward lines featuring Marchand alongside Bennett and Verhaeghe, while Tampa Bay aims to leverage its core scorers. The Panthers’ defense rotation includes Ekblad and Seth Jones, both critical to controlling the pace and flow of the game.
The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 27, and will be broadcast on WSFL, WHDT, WFTX, and streamed on PanthersPlus.TV, with radio coverage on 560 WQAM-AM and other regional affiliates.
This matchup promises a competitive and high-energy contest, as both teams eye key points in the tight Atlantic Division race. The renewed intensity after the break sets the tone for an anticipated Battle of Florida showdown.
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