You bet they are. For those of you that don't know it, the Panthers and Lightning detest each other. They have a heated rivalry that has always been tooth and nail.

The last time the Lightning saw the Panthers, it was earlier this month in Sunrise when Tampa squeaked out a 4-3 overtime victory. But in mid-October when the Cats spoiled Tampa's home opener, scoring 5 power play goals as well as a shorthanded goal by Sean Bergenheim, that still stings. Post-game the Cats were all smiles and confident, and the Ning knew it.

The Lightning surely would come in angry tonight and both teams played a solid playoff-style game that was settled in overtime on a tremendous top shelf goal by Steven Stamkos on a 4 on 3 power play.

There are so many outlets to get box score stats, so that's not what I do here. That's boring AP style that we need but can only take so much.

So here are my Panther observations from tonight:

- If Jack Skille had "Flash soft" hands, he might be just the secondary scoring threat needed. However, he plays with such toughness, he's an integral part of this team's success.

- Mike Santorelli is coming into his own after starting the season on the IR with an injured shoulder. He is also a big piece of the current yet temporary secondary scoring puzzle.

- Jose Theodore deserved a win tonight and was a few posts and bounces away from such a result. He continues to be more solid than expected.

- Erik Gudbranson is obviously feeling more comfortable in his rookie year and the game is slowing down a bit for him. His healthy scratches gave him time to digest pace of play, as well as realize he has more time to make plays than originally thought. He has started to turn up the offensive side of his game as well, which once he gets rolling could be a huge addition to an already potent defensive corp.

- After the mysterious "soreness" injury that kept Bergenheim out of the lineup for 7 games, he is starting to assert himself again, being that pesky forward Dale Tallon and Kevin Dineen need him to be.

- While the game was tight and competitive, 24 shots on goal for the Panthers is not going to cut it for Dineen. You can bet the team got an earful post-game. Technically they were pretty flat offensively while the defense was stellar. A more balanced effort will be needed tomorrow.

- Tomas Kopecky's absence tonight was very noticeable, as he has been really effective over the last several games with his strength on the puck and winning battles along the boards. Hopefully he is back soon.

- Has Michael Repik put on weight? The oft called up forward to help with injury issues looks a bit bigger and faster this year, and like Kenndal McArdle maybe it's time he realizes his future in the NHL, if any, is on the 4th line as a role player. His defensive skills would have to continue to improve in that scenario.

- Tampa brought the noise tonight with their physical play, out hitting the Panthers 39-15. On a night like tonight the voids caused by the Kopecky and Bradley injuries was significant. The Panthers better be ready to bring it tomorrow because the Lightning would love nothing more than to inflict more damage on the division leaders.

Twitter @DanSpiegel
danspiegel.net

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