This installment of the Battle of Florida should have some extra bite. After all, the last time the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning faced off against each other, the Panthers ran over their cross-state rival in a 9-2 beatdown at Amalie Arena on Feb. 17. With that, the Panthers certainly expect some extra jump from their opponent tonight. “Games against these guys are always loud and aggressive,” Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour said.
After losing two key players to injury during Saturday's 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames, the Florida Panthers delivered some encouraging news on Monday. Evan Rodrigues, who had to be helped to the locker room after blocking a shot in the second period, will be a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup at Dallas, while Aaron Ekblad, who was involved in a scary first-period collision, will miss at least two weeks and could return as early as the end of the month. For Ekblad, head coach Paul Maurice said the team will be extra cautious. If Rodrigues is unable to suit up against the Stars, veteran newcomer Kyle Okposo, who was acquired from the Sabres at the trade deadline, would be an option to take his place.
Nick Cousins had two goals and the Florida Panthers beat New Jersey 5-3 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight win, spoiling the debut of interim Devils coach Travis Green.
No | Player | P |
---|---|---|
16 | C | |
9 | C | |
2 | D | |
72 | G | |
21 | C | |
5 | D | |
91 | D | |
42 | D | |
12 | LW | |
94 | LW | |
18 | C | |
15 | C | |
27 | C | |
28 | D | |
77 | D | |
62 | D | |
8 | RW | |
13 | C | |
17 | C | |
82 | C | |
41 | G | |
10 | RW | |
19 | LW | |
23 | C |