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3h ago

Panthers Visit Injury-Hit Lightning Tonight as Bobrovsky Projected to Start

Florida's recent surge will test a Tampa Bay blue line that has posted strong defensive numbers since early November.

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 15: Max Crozier #24 of the Tampa Bay Lightning moves Jesper Boqvist #70 of the Florida Panthers from the crease during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena on November 15, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Image
Dec 15, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper looks on against the Florida Panthers in the third period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET at Benchmark International Arena with Florida at 16-13-2 and Tampa Bay at 18-11-3.
  • The Panthers are expected to use the same lineup from Saturday’s 4-0 win in Dallas, with Sergei Bobrovsky listed as the projected starter.
  • Brad Marchand led that victory with two goals as Bobrovsky earned his third shutout of the season.
  • Lightning coach Jon Cooper said defenseman Emil Lilleberg will be out a few weeks, while a separate report suggests he is on injured reserve until February, and Ryan McDonagh and Andrei Vasilevskiy are skating and considered day to day.
  • Despite extensive blue-line turnover since Nov. 9, Tampa Bay ranks fourth in 5-on-5 goals against per 60 and sixth in expected goals against per 60, with goaltenders posting a .931 save percentage in that span.