Cross-State Rivals Mark the Conclusion of Road Trip


The long and winding road, consisting of five road games in eight nights, concludes for the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight as they close out the road trip against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise.

The game marks the first of six meetings between the inter-state rivals this season. The Panthers (5-8-1) had dropped six games in a row before defeating the Anaheim Ducks on the road.

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Video: vs. Panthers (3-25-08)

Tampa Bay (5-5-4) are three points ahead of their cross-state rivals in the standings for the Southeastern Division. Each team has produced 31 goals so far this season.

Martin St. Louis and Mark Recchi have been riding a wave of points of late for the Lightning; St. Louis is on a five game scoring streak consisting of 2 goals and four assists and Recchi has contributed seven assists in the last six games.

Gary Roberts is coming off a two goal effort against the Capitals, his first goals as a member of the Lightning.

The Panthers, who have just wrapped up a five game road trip of their own, are led by forward David Booth with seven goals and defenseman Keith Ballard, the team point leader with 10. Former Lightning player Cory Stillman has notched nine points for the Panthers so far this season.

After tonight, the Lightning return home for one game against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings, on Thursday, then they return to the road for a brief visit to Carolina before settling in at The St. Pete Times Forum for a four game home stand.