Panthers at Lightning Preview: Finding something to play for

Game Eighty-one: Florida Panthers (47-30-4) at Tampa Bay Lightning (46-26-8)

Time: 7:30 PM EST

Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa

TV/Stream/Radio: ESPN, SCRIPPS, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -180

Know the Opponents:

Story Lines and Notes

If you were to look at this game based on the schedule and the potential playoff seedings, you might think that this would be a heck of a preview of the first round. Throw in a little in-state rivalry and no one would fault you for getting excited about tonight’s match-up. Heck, ESPN even picked it up for national broadcast (note the new start time). The reality is another story.

With their loss to the New York Rangers last night, the Florida Panthers locked themselves into the third-seed in the Atlantic Division. Even with a win tonight, the Lightning have a game in hand and the first tiebreaker. So, they have nothing but pride to play for.

On the other side of the ice the Lightning can still win the division. Sure, it will take them winning the next two games (with at least one in regulation) and the Maple Leafs losing both of their games in regulation. That isn’t what we refer to as a likely scenario. The Bolts are also trying to stay healthy over the last two games. Right now they are without Oliver Bjorkstrand and Luke Glendening for sure. Darren Raddysh is a game-time decision after leaving their last game in the second period.

Motivation is tough at this time of the season. After a long, often painful regular season, the players can see the playoffs on the horizon. They know that things are going to ramp up in four days and it’s going to take up every ounce of energy they have to raise their game for the second season. Yes, they are professional athletes that should be motivated to play at their best every night, but they are also human. It’s only natural to maybe hold something back in what, for all intents and purposes, is a meaningless game.

As for a playoff preview? Sure, these teams are going to meet in the first round, but Florida’s roster is going to look a lot different in a couple of days. Injuries have been a prime reason why the Panthers have scuffled since the trade deadline. Their players are starting to come back, but a couple of big names will be out tonight. Matthew Tkachuk, who was injured in the 4 Nations Face-Off, should be back for Game One. Aaron Ekblad is set to return from his suspension in Game Three.

Couple that with the Panthers going through a stretch of games where they played nine times in fifteen days, and you can see why this isn’t going to be a best-on-best match-up. Still, there is usually enough animosity between the two franchises to spark some sort of fun tonight.

The Lightning had their best outing in a week and are looking to build on that. They’re also looking to find the right line combination with Oliver Bjorkstrand out of the line-up. Even if the teams are playing at half-speed tonight, Florida will give the new lines a good defensive test. Their offense might have disappeared over the last month, but the Panthers are still one of, if not the best, defensive teams in the league.

With the division title still in sight, the Lightning should be the more motivated team tonight. The trick will be to turn that motivation into execution in order to pick up two more points.

Stats

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Florida Panthers

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