Coming off of three straight losses, the Lightning travel to Sunrise, Florida to take on the cross-state rival Panthers. The Bolts are licking their wounds after taking a shellacking on Long Island at the hand of the New York Islanders. On Thursday night, they fell 5-1 at Nassau Coliseum, but it was over after the first period when the Islanders raced out to a 4-1 lead.
Goalie Dwayne Roloson looks to rebound after being pulled in the second period for Mathieu Garcon. Roloson gave up all five goals to the Islanders, on just 18 shots. Steven Stamkos is looking to heat up and get on a roll against the Panthers, after notching his first goal of the season on Thursday night.
Florida comes into the game after three days off and having played only two games so far this season. The Panthers are 1-1 and coming off a loss to the Penguins. They opened the season on Long Island against the same Islanders team that just beat up on the Lightning. The Panthers came away with the victory, winning 2-0 on an impressive performance from new goaltender and journeyman, Jose Theodore.
The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30 on Saturday and the game will be broadcast on Sun. It's the Lightning's only game of the weekend, as they return home on Monday night for the second leg of a home-and-home with the Panthers, who could be just the cure for ending the 3 game skid.