Apr/060
Panthers @ Lightning Preview
GAME: Florida Panthers (34-31-9) at Tampa Bay Lightning (39-30-5).
TIME: Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning try to shake off a rough game and strengthen their hold on the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot as they complete a home-and-home series with the surging Florida Panthers.
The Lightning fell behind just 24 seconds into the contest and allowed 19 shots on goal in the first period of Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Florida. Brad Richards set up both goals for Tampa Bay, which is five points in front of Atlanta – which visits Ottawa on Monday – and six ahead of Florida.
“We were sloppy from the start. That’s why we were down 4-1,” said Richards, who has 10 assists in his last five games. “We put together a very good third but they’ve got a great goalie and we just ran out of time.”
STAT PACK
-
STANDINGS: Panthers – 77 points, 4th place, 25 PB, Southeast Division. Lightning – 83 points, 2nd place, 19 PB, Southeast Division.
TEAM LEADERS: Panthers – Olli Jokinen, 34 goals, 45 assists and 79 points; Chris Gratton, 94 PIM. Lightning – Vincent Lecavalier, 32 goals; Richards, 62 assists and 83 points; Lecavalier and Pavel Kubina, 88 PIM.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Panthers – Power play: 15.3 percent (57 for 373), 24th in NHL. Penalty killing: 83.1 percent (384 for 462), 14th. Lightning – Power play: 16.4 percent (72 for 440), 23rd. Penalty killing: 81.6 percent (288 for 353), 19th.
GOALTENDERS: Panthers – Luongo (33-27-9, 4 SO, 2.94 GAA); Jamie McLennan (1-4-0, 0, 2.95). Lightning – Grahame (28-20-1, 5, 3.03); Burke (11-9-3, 1, 2.87).
SEASON SERIES: Panthers, 5-1.
LAST MEETING: Saturday; Lightning, 4-2. At Sunrise, Fla., Nieuwendyk had two goals and an assist and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester had a pair of assists for the Panthers.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Panthers – 11-22-5 on the road; Lightning – 21-12-2 at home.
Enjoy this article?
Follow Me...
