Tampa Bay is coming off an awe-inspiring 54-23-5 season in 2017-18, a season which saw them make the final four before dropping to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals in seven games.
The Florida Panthers, in the meantime, posted a 44-30-8, good enough to just miss the postseason by one measly point.
It’s the first game of the season, so everyone’s ‘magic number’ is nearly incalculable. By the same token, it’s anyone’s ballgame (forgive the baseball colloquialism).
After tonight’s contest, the Panthers get five days off before a quick two-game homestand, against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Vancouver Canucks.