Panthers and Lightning Clash in Preseason Showdown at Kia Center

ORLANDO, Florida – The Florida Panthers are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a neutral-site preseason game at Kia Center on Tuesday.

This matchup will feature a roster primarily made up of prospects, allowing Panthers head coach Paul Maurice to evaluate the younger players in the organization’s system. “This will still be very scrambly, very sloppy, as all exhibition hockey is, but how can they apply our rules to the game they see in front of them?” Maurice said regarding his evaluation strategy for the preseason.

The Panthers enter this game following a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday. Jack Studnicka led the charge with two goals, including the game-winner just 28 seconds into overtime. Sandis Vilmanis and Brett Chorske also scored in the win.

Studnicka, who is tied for the team lead with three preseason goals, signed a one-year, two-way contract in July and aims to impress the coaching staff. “I think my game really fits the system that they’re trying to play really well,” he said. “I like to play fast with my stick out to try and break up plays. Goal scoring aside, I think it’s been good so far.”

In his preseason debut, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all nine shots he faced against the Hurricanes. “It’s just getting back there, just see the plays, feel comfortable in the game situation,” Bobrovsky commented.

Tonight, the Panthers will have Daniil Tarasov and Brandon Bussi in goal against the Lightning. Tarasov, expected to backup Bobrovsky this season, impressively stopped 47 of 49 shots in his last game against the Hurricanes.

The Lightning will counter with goalies Jonas Johansson and Brandon Halverson, and they are expected to feature several regular players, including Gage Goncalves, Zemgus Girgensons, and Oliver Bjorkstrand.

Last year, the Lightning came back from a 7-5 deficit to win 8-7 in a high-scoring affair against the Panthers in Orlando. Players like Vilmanis, Ryan McAllister, and Wilmer Skoog each scored for the Panthers in that match.

The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action on WSFL, WHDT, and WFTX.