Panthers Pounce on Lightning: A Clash of Florida's Finest at Amalie Arena

As the Florida Panthers prepare to face off against their state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning, at Amalie Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an electrifying encounter. The Panthers have shown a resilience that could very well tip the scales in their favor come game day on February 17.

Analyzing past performances, it's clear that the Panthers' powerplay has been a significant weapon in their arsenal. In their recent victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on December 23, they capitalized on powerplay opportunities by netting two goals out of six chances. This 33 percent efficiency rate is something they'll want to replicate against Tampa Bay.

The Panthers also demonstrated a robust defense and goaltending prowess in that same game. With an impressive save percentage and only two goals allowed during even strength play, they've proven capable of holding down the fort when under siege.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing for FLA; they faced a tough loss against St. Louis Blues just one day prior. Despite winning more than two-thirds of faceoffs and firing 38 shots towards goal, converting only one speaks volumes about missed opportunities and perhaps an element of bad luck.

But let's not dwell on past misfortunes too much because sports are all about bouncing back – something FLA did with gusto after another loss earlier in Calgary against the Flames where they managed just one goal from 34 shots while conceding three times.

What does this mean for our upcoming Sunshine State showdown? The key takeaway is consistency – both offensively and defensively. If FLA can maintain pressure through effective powerplays while shoring up any defensive lapses seen in previous games, there's every reason to believe victory is within reach.

Tampa Bay will undoubtedly provide stiff competition; however, if recent form is anything to go by – particularly FLA’s ability to win faceoffs (a crucial aspect of maintaining puck control) – then fans should feel cautiously optimistic about their team’s chances.

The scheduled puck drop is at 5:00 PM EST at Amalie Arena on February 17th. Fans eager not to miss a second can tune into ESPN+ online or catch local broadcasts on BSSUN channel 653 or BSFL channel 654 for away coverage.