Players To Watch
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Lightning's Top Performers Shine as Florida Panthers Prepare for Showdown at Amerant Bank Arena

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers are set to face off in an exciting matchup at Amerant Bank Arena. With both teams looking to secure a victory, all eyes will be on the top performers from the previous games.


Feb 17, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) controls the puck  from Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (91) in the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

In their last three games, the Lightning showcased exceptional performances from their star players. Defenseman Darren Raddysh displayed great defensive skills, with 1 hit and 1 takeaway in an average time on ice of 16 minutes and 24 seconds. Forward Brayden Point stood out with an impressive 3 goals, 3 assists, and a shooting percentage of 50%. He also had 2 takeaways and a plus-minus rating of +3. Another key player to watch is forward Nikita Kucherov, who contributed 1 goal, 4 assists, and a shooting percentage of 100%. He played an average of 16 minutes and 44 seconds per game.


On the defensive end, defenseman Nick Perbix showcased his prowess with 3 hits and 1 takeaway in an average time on ice of 18 minutes and 58 seconds. Victor Hedman also made his presence known with solid defensive play.


Feb 17, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) controls the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning center Michael Eyssimont (23) in the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers have their own standout performers to rely on. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov showed his defensive skills with 3 hits and an average time on ice of 17 minutes and 12 seconds. Forward Vladimir Tarasenko contributed to the team's offense with consistent play throughout the three games.


Looking at the overall performance of both teams over the past three games, the Lightning have shown dominance in various areas. They have displayed strong offensive capabilities, scoring a total of 10 goals compared to the Panthers' total of just 4 goals. The Lightning's powerplay has been particularly effective, converting opportunities into goals.


Feb 17, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA;  Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

In terms of goaltending, Andrei Vasilevskiy has been solid for the Lightning, making 25 saves on average per game. On the other hand, Sergei Bobrovsky has been a key factor for the Panthers, making an average of 31 saves per game.


As the Lightning and Panthers prepare to face off, it will be interesting to see how these top performers continue to make an impact. The Lightning's offensive firepower, led by Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, will be a challenge for the Panthers' defense. However, if Dmitry Kulikov and his defensive teammates can neutralize the Lightning's attack, the Panthers have a chance to secure a victory.


Fans can catch all the action of this highly anticipated matchup on ESPN+ and Hulu at 9:00 PM in Sunrise, Florida.

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