Lightning try to rebound against Panthers

Hockey Betting Lines

02/20/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first-place Tampa Bay Lightning will attempt to avenge a weekend loss to the Florida Panthers when the Southeast Division rivals complete a home-and-home series tonight at St. Pete Times Forum.

Florida got the upper hand in Saturday's opener, as Nathan Horton scored 29 seconds into overtime to lift the Panthers to a 5-4 decision over the Lightning.

Steven Weiss had a goal and two assists while Ed Belfour needed to make only 16 saves in the victory, Florida's third in four games.

Despite their recent surge, the Panthers still remain well behind in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Florida sits in 13th place overall and is nine points in back of Montreal, the New York Islanders and Toronto, all of whom are presently tied for the East's final postseason spot.

Ruslan Salei, Bryan Allen and Ville Peltonen also lit the lamp to help the Panthers end Tampa Bay's three-game win streak.

The Lightning did manage a point in the defeat, which pushed the resurgent club into a first-place tie with the slumping Atlanta Thrashers in the Southeast. Both teams have 69 total points, but Tampa Bay has played one fewer game.

Martin St. Louis had two goals in Saturday's setback, while Dan Boyle finished with a goal and an assist for the Lightning. Vincent Lecavalier, the NHL's leading goal scorer this season, and Vaclav Prospal each registered a pair of assists on the evening.

The loss was only Tampa's second in its last nine outings (7-1-1).

The Lightning carry a four-game home win streak into tonight's test and are 16-13-0 at the St. Pete Times Forum this season. Florida, meanwhile, owns an ugly 7-16-8 mark away from home and is tied with Calgary for the fewest road wins in the NHL.

The Panthers have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the clubs and evened this year's season series at 2-2 with Saturday's triumph. Florida has lost two straight against the Lightning on the road, though.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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