NHL First Round Preview: Panthers vs. Lightning Breakdown

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00:00Pete, as you look at this Sunshine State rivalry and what we will see here in this opening round series,

00:06what will we see tonight in this opening game that could dictate what we see the rest of the set?

00:13Yeah, it's interesting that there's a plus number on the defending champs,

00:16especially when you could very well get news after this segment is over that Matthew Kachuk would be returning.

00:23It sounds like he's like a game day decision.

00:26But again, he's been out ever since the Four Nations tournament.

00:30You know, he's been circling this date on his calendar or this is a long weekend, whatever you want to call it.

00:36So I think like Matthew Kachuk is very live to appear in this series and make an impact.

00:42And if you look at the fact that he would be joining in terms of the projected lines,

00:47aligned with Sam Bennett, his trusted centerman, and then also Brad Marchand,

00:51the grizzled veteran playoff performer from the Boston Bruins all those years,

00:56remember they added him at the deadline?

00:58That's a ridiculous second line.

01:00And that's why like that number was so big on Kucherov because as much as we love Kucherov

01:06and what he's done regular season and postseason in his career,

01:09like the Bolts are no luck to get out of this first round with Florida standing in their way.

01:15That's for sure.