Panthers at Lightning Game 2 Preview: Adapt or start booking tee times

Game Two: Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning (Florida leads series 1-0)

Time: 6:30 PM EST

Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa

TV/Stream/Radio: FDSNSUN, Scripps,TBS, MAX, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -125

Know the Opponents: Litterbox Cats

Story Lines and Notes

If we can glean any positives from Game 1, it’s that once the Lightning were able to set up in the offensive zone, they were able to give the Florida Panthers a little trouble. The main problem was that they weren’t able to do it often enough in the first meeting. Well, that, and the three power play goals they surrendered.

While Coach Cooper might have liked their play up until the final minute of the first period, there wasn’t much to write home about following that momentum-stealing goal. Maybe they took the defending champs a little lightly, figuring there would be some rust among the players who hadn’t suited up much down the stretch. If that was the case, well, surely they were shocked by the fully-operational status of all aspects of the Panthers’ game.

So now it’s time to adapt. The Lightning took the first punch in this series, and it stunned them. That doesn’t mean they were knocked out, though, and they still have plenty of punching power to win this match-up. The first thing they need to do is pick up their pace. The Panthers are content enough to flip the puck into the zone and then pound on the defensemen who retrieve the puck. For the Lightning, those defensemen have to be quicker and more decisive with their puck movement. It’s also on the forwards to be in position to give them multiple options.

If the defenders, and forwards dropping back, can retrieve those pucks quicker and switch the flow of the play, it’ll go a long way in keeping the Panthers on their heels. We saw the Lightning set up their offense and get some quality chances when they were able to enter the zone. Both Tampa Bay goals were the result of puck movement in the Florida zone. Get the Panthers defenders moving around and holes will appear. The best way to build that type of zone time is with controlled breakouts of their own zone. Coach Cooper has preached over the years the importance of starting the offense in the defensive zone, and that is the best way to beat Florida.

It’ll also help to get back to the “prison rules” mentality in front of the Florida net. It was a phrase we heard quite a bit during the Lightning’s winning streak, and it’s just a way to emphasize the importance of winning the puck and position battles in front of the net. The Lightning didn’t do a good enough job in Game 1 of owning the area in front of the crease. They did actually generate a fair number of rebounds, they just weren’t able to make the Panthers pay for those loose pucks.

The same goes for the defensive zone. Florida is going to bring a physical game. That’s cool. It’s part of their identity. They’re going to finish their checks. The Lightning have to know this and be willing to accept it. They cannot acquiesce and blindly fire the puck away to avoid contact. Take the hit and make the play. If Nick Perbix or Emil Lilleberg (just to name a couple of players) have the puck and can move it before getting run by Eetu Luostarinen or Brad Marchand, that gives the Lightning a 4-on-4 opportunity down the ice. More space equals more success for the Bolts, but they have to make a clean play prior to the hit.

It is looking like Anthony Cirelli may be out or at the very best, a game-time decision. At the morning skate, the Bolts jumbled up the lines with Nick Paul moving up to a center position and Yanni Gourde dropping down to the third line. Gage Goncalves will likely get a shot at top line minutes to begin the game after he ended Game 1 skating with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point.

If the Bolts can stick to, and execute, their game plan, they can even up the series. If they allow Florida to dictate the pace for long stretches again tonight, things will reach the troublesome stage. Expect a better start from the Lightning tonight.

Stats

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Florida Panthers

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