ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF
The in-state rival hockey teams from the Sunshine State will battle it in Tampa tonight. Both teams are off to a 2-0-0 start to the season and are at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Florida Panthers won the division this past season. In the playoffs during the 2015-16 season however, the Tampa Bay Lightning stuck around longer. The Panthers fell in six games in the opening round to the New York Islanders. Meanwhile, the Lightning made it to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
.@bburnsnhl with the #FLAvsTBL breakdown ahead of tonight's 7:30 tilt. pic.twitter.com/zOLrWouHSp
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 18, 2016
Head coach for the Tampa Bay Lighting Jon Cooper feels that this game will be a fun one between two top teams. The Lightning are coming off of a home win last week against the Red Wings by a final score of 6-4. The Lightning remain undefeated despite giving up the first two goals in each game. With another win under their belt tonight, the Bolts would start 3-0 for the second straight season.
The last game for the Florida Panthers was against the New Jersey Devils. Florida defeated the Devils 2-1 at home in overtime last Thursday. For the Panthers, goaltender James Reimer will make his first start of the season after it was Roberto Luongo who played in the wins over the Detroit Red Wings and the Devils. Earlier this year, Reimer signed a five year contract with an average value of $3.4 million. The Panthers do have some injuries, including to stars Jonathan Huberdeau and Nick Bjugstad. However, the Lightning are well aware that without these players they are still a good team.
https://twitter.com/FlaPanthers/status/788466120063905797
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers face off from Amalie Arena with the puck drop at 7:30 tonight. Radio Coverage begins at 7 p.m. on ESPN Gainesville 95.3 FM. The game will also be aired on Fox Sports Sun (Central/North Florida) and Fox Sports Florida (South Florida).
