Florida aims to clinch series win against Tampa Bay
Florida Panthers (47-31-4, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (47-27-8, in the Atlantic Division)
Tampa, Florida; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lightning -121, Panthers +101; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Panthers lead series 3-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers look to clinch the first round of the NHL Playoffs over the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five. The teams meet Monday for the ninth time this season. The Panthers won the previous meeting 4-2.
Tampa Bay has a 12-15-3 record in Atlantic Division games and a 47-27-8 record overall. The Lightning have gone 46-7-4 when scoring three or more goals.
Florida has gone 47-31-4 overall with a 15-13-2 record against the Atlantic Division. The Panthers lead the league serving 10.3 penalty minutes per game.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jake Guentzel has 41 goals and 39 assists for the Lightning. Brayden Point has five goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Matthew Tkachuk has 22 goals and 35 assists for the Panthers. Carter Verhaeghe has four goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lightning: 4-4-2, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.7 assists, 3.5 penalties and 8.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
Panthers: 6-4-0, averaging 2.7 goals, 4.5 assists, 4.9 penalties and 14.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.
INJURIES: Lightning: None listed.
Panthers: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
recommended
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
39 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Q&A: New Panthers defenseman Jeff Petry talks joining Stanley Cup champs
It has been four years since Jeff Petry last made an appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was a memorable postseason, with Petry and the Montreal Canadiens making it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021 before ultimately falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning. At 37, Petry knows time is running out to make another postseason run and chase an elusive Stanley Cup. Which is why when the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers called and gauged his interest in joining, the veteran defenseman knew his decision was an easy one. 'That was an important part of my decision — wanting to be in the playoffs, wanting to compete for a Stanley Cup again,' Petry, who singed on Tuesday for a league minimum $775,000, said Thursday. 'That feeling of being really close in Montreal, and then losing in the final, that was a tough feeling. I always said before my career is over, I want to be able to be in that position again and be on a team that can compete for a Stanley Cup. Coming to Florida, I think that gives me a very good opportunity to do that.' Petry has played in 981 career games over 15 seasons including stops with the Edmonton Oilers, Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. He has 385 career points (96 goals, 289 assists). He only played in 44 games last season for Detroit, missing more than two-and-a-half months with an abdominal injury. 'Jeff is a skilled, puck-moving defenseman who can contribute quality veteran leadership to our lineup,' Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito said. 'We are excited that he will join us to supplement our exciting core.' Here are the highlights of what Petry had to say during his Thursday interview session. What stands out about the Panthers? 'It's an exciting, exciting place to play. You see what they've accomplished over the last few years. When I got the call that there was an interest in me coming there, I saw [Sam] Bennett and [Aaron] Ekblad and [Brad] Marchand resigning. When they called, it was a no brainer. You hear about the group, what they do together on the ice, off the ice. You hear so many good things about it, and like I said, when they had interest, it was a no brainer for me. They want you to come in and be the player you are, be the person you are, and not try to do something that isn't within your characteristics.' How much does it help knowing that Florida's style of play includes forwards playing strong defense, too? 'I think that's huge, being a group of five all over the ice. When you're all committed in the defensive zone, it just gives you the puck back quicker to go play in the offensive zone. There's a number of guys who are great defensively, but also have the ability to put the puck in the net. It's an exciting group to join.' Injury slowed you a bit last season. How are you feeling now? 'Everything's feeling good. It's something that I tried to push through. You never want to miss time with an injury. I wanted to push through it, and ended up just taking the time off getting it feeling better. Came back at the end of the year, and then now, having the last couple months to to fully recover, fully go through the rehab process, get everything feeling good to make sure I'm ready for the start of September.' Florida has a track record over recent years of defensemen having bounce-back seasons, including Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Nate Schmidt. Did that play a factor in you wanting to come here? 'You definitely consider all things, and the track record of players that you spoke about is apparent. I think it speaks to the group that they have, that you can bring a new player in and they fit in and do well. I think it speaks to not trying to be somebody you're not, and just coming in and playing your game and be surrounded by great players with great structure. That's something that I strongly considered, and in making my decision.' Any welcome to the Panthers messages from teammates? 'Yeah I got a few calls, a couple text messages from the guys. I think the one that sticks out is, was Chucky [winger Matthew Tkachuk]. He texted me and said, 'glad to have you on the team. I hated playing against you, and looking forward to playing with you and having fun this year.' A lot of guys reached out. Which is was nice to see, nice to hear, and looking forward to getting down there and meeting everybody in person.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Versatile 2nd-year DB named Panthers' 'biggest surprise player' heading into 2025 season
Wide receiver Xavier Legette may not be the only breakout candidate of the Carolina Panthers' 2024 draft class. ESPN's NFL Nation crew recently named the biggest surprise player for each team at this point of the offseason. David Newton took on the Panthers, and offered up second-year defensive back Chau Smith-Wade. Newton writes: It wasn't just obvious to sideline observers, it was obvious to teammates that the 2024 fifth-round pick out of Washington State had a stellar offseason and will be a factor in 2025. "Man, I think he's been the most impressive player,'' Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn said. Smith-Wade's ability to play corner, nickel and safety makes him valuable to a young defense trying to rebuild after finishing last in the NFL a year ago. "Chau took advantage of an opportunity,'' coach Dave Canales said. "He made tackles. He had an opportunity on an interception, and he made it.'' Smith-Wade may have quite an opportunity ahead of him in this Carolina secondary, which is rather thin outside the likes of cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson and safety Tre'von Moehrig. The unit's current depth is largely built off of young and unproven commodities—including Shemar Bartholomew, Akayleb Evans, MJ Devonshire, Demani Richardson, 2025 fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom and six undrafted rookies. Positional versatility could also play to the advantage of Smith-Wade—who, as Newton noted, can line up at three different spots for the Panthers. But most of his work, like it did in his rookie campaign, will probably come from the slot—where he recorded 228 of his 299 defensive snaps. 2024 saw Smith-Wade finish up with 39 combined tackles, an interception and a forced fumble over 14 games. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
NHL News: Lightning Lose Goalie To Oilers
The Tampa Bay Lightning are losing one of their depth goaltenders. According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers are signing goaltender Matt Tomkins. Tomkins spent this season with the Lightning's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. In 26 games this campaign for the AHL squad, he recorded a 12-10-4 record, a .907 save percentage, and a 2.55 goals-against average. This was after he had a 15-12-2 record, a .904 save percentage, and a 2.53 goals-against average in 29 games in 2023-24 with Syracuse. Advertisement Tomkins also played in three games with the Lightning during the 2023-24 season, where he posted a 3-2-1 record, a 3.33 goals-against average, and a .892 save percentage. He did not make an appearance for the Lightning this past season. Overall, Tomkins has been a solid AHL goalie in the Lightning's system, so the Crunch will certainly miss having him around. Now, he will likely serve in a similar role with the Oilers organization from here. NHL News: Lightning Sign Former Maple Leafs Forward NHL News: Lightning Sign Former Maple Leafs Forward The Tampa Bay Lightning have added to their forward depth. Photo Credit: © David Kirouac-Imagn Images
