Another Sunshine State playoff showdown which hasn't worked too well for Florida in recent years. Though this Tampa Bay edition hasn't been functioning in quite the same way, with defensive issues continuing to recur for Jon Cooper, as the Lightning have missed key cog Mikhail Sergachev since he went down with injury later in the season. Still, there remains much firepower on the Lightning side, with established goal scorers like Nikita Kucherov (144 points...100 assists!), Steven Stamkos, and Brayden Point all scoring 40 goals or more. Meanwhile, we saw what Sam Reinhart (career-best 52 goals this term), Matthew Tkachuk, and Carter Verhaeghe can do on the Panthers side last spring. Lots of scoring power on the ice! Play Lightning-Panthers "Over"

In recent years, you say OK the Lightning are gonna flip a switch and be awesome in the playoffs. They just are not that team any longer. I remember well when it was pretty obvious the Blackhawks' contending window slammed shut. Think the Lightning are in the same spot. It's sorta like Isaiah Thomas' Pistons at the end. Man I hate that dude. Florida has allowed just 1.71 goals per game in its past seven. The Panthers outscored the Lightning 15-9 and outshot them by an average of 37-25 during the regular season.

I'm expecting a back-and-forth series between Tampa and Florida, and I think that will get started with a high-scoring showdown on Sunday. The past two meetings between them have seen eight and 11 goals, and both sides are having issues staying out of the penalty box lately. Last time they played, both teams handed out seven power play opportunities. Bring on the goals.