The defending Stanley Cup champions and their in-state rival meet up for the final time this regular season on Tuesday, April 15 when the Florida Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.
The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on ESPN. Fans looking to watch this NHL game can do so for free by using FuboTV ($25 off first month) or DirecTV Stream, which both offer a free trial. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but has promotional offers available for streaming the game. ESPN+ plans are currently at $11.99 a month or $16.99 a month if you bundle with Hulu and Disney+.
The Panthers are playing their final game of the regular season while the Lightning will also play Thursday against the New York Rangers. For the Panthers, this is the last chance to get home ice for the first round playoff series these teams will get started this coming weekend.
Entering this matchup, Tampa Bay has 100 points while Florida is at 98. A regulation win for the Panthers, who are currently 47-30-4, would mean they clinch the season series over the Lightning and would have a shot to be the host in the playoff series with some help from the Rangers.
The Lightning, who are 46-26-8, just need 1 more point to clinch second place in the Atlantic. The first time these teams played in Tampa this season the Panthers won 4-2, just for the Lightning to win the very next night in Sunrise, Fla., 4-0. In March the Panthers won at home 2-1, and now they face off for the last time in the regular season, to set the stage for a playoff series.
Who: Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
When: Tuesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. EDT
Where: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.
Stream: FuboTV (free trial); Sling; DirecTV Stream
Betting: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
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US-based Original Six Red Wings, Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks eliminated from playoffs for 1st time
By LARRY LAGE AP Hockey Writer
The Original Six teams based in the United States have a rich history, combining to hoist the Stanley Cup 27 times.
And now, they share an unwanted distinction.
Detroit, Boston, Chicago and the New York Rangers will all miss the playoffs in the same year for the first time in NHL history.
The Red Wings have 11 Stanley Cups, trailing the totals won by the Canadian-based Original Six teams. Montreal has won 23 Cups and Toronto has 13. The Maple Leafs have earned a spot in the playoffs that start Saturday. The Canadiens, who lost to Chicago in a shootout Monday night, are on the brink of earning the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot.
Detroit was slowly improving under general manager Steve Yzerman until this year. The Hall of Fame player was hired away from Tampa Bay in 2019 and the patience he asked for is running thin.
A year after losing a tiebreaker for the last spot in the Eastern Conference, the Red Wings took a step back this season and were officially eliminated from postseason contention on Saturday.
“We had a clear goal coming into the season,” Detroit’s Lucas Raymond said after a 6-4 win over Dallas. “You know how close we were last year. The only next step is being in the playoffs. We were very determined to get there. Obviously, we weren’t able to do it.”
The Blackhawks are the last-place team in the Central Division for the third straight year and will finish ahead of only San Jose in the NHL. Earlier this century, they were a league power with three Cups from 2010-15 to give the franchise a total of six.
While no one in the Motor City or Windy City was shocked by another lackluster season on the ice, the Rangers and Bruins were expected to be playoff teams.
A year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy with an NHL-high 114 points and reaching the Eastern Conference final, the Rangers were hoping to possibly hoist the Cup for the first time in more than three decades and fifth time in franchise history. Peter Laviolette’s second season behind the bench in New York simply didn’t pan out, guiding a team that was hovering around .500 and out of contention during the last week of the regular season.
Boston started the season with high hopes and will finish it with the fewest points in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The rebuilding franchise traded captain Brad Marchand last month at the trade deadline, dealing the last remaining member of its sixth championship team in 2011.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is an internet TV service that offers your favorite entertainment, news and sports channels, as well as local TV stations and regional sports networks. DirecTV Stream can be purchased for $79.98/month for your first two months when you sign up for the ENTERTAINMENT package and add DIRECTV Sports Pack.
What is FuboTV?
FuboTV is a streaming service that has made a significant mark in the United States live sports market. It offers a range of pricing plans: The basic plan, the “Pro” package, provides an assortment of channels, including sports, news, and entertainment options like Showtime for $79.99 per month.
What is SlingTV?
Here’s what you can watch on Sling TV, with plans starting at $40: Baseball (MLB), Basketball (NBA, NCAAB), Combat Sports (Boxing, UFC, MMA), Football (NCAAF, NFL), Golf, Hockey, Motorsports, Olympics, Soccer, Tennis and Wrestling.
What is ESPN+?
ESPN+ is a one-stop shop for content from almost every single sport. In addition to on-demand replays of games across all sports shown on the ESPN and Disney family of networks, there is also exclusive access to select college football games, NHL games, soccer matches, UFC programs and the entire 30 for 30 catalogue. Additionally, there is ESPN+ exclusive original programing like NFL Primetime, Dana White’s Contender Series and The Breakdown with Peyton and Belichick. You can stream ESPN+ on your phone, tablet, smart TV or gaming console for $11.99/month or bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for just $16.99 per month.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
