This is an 8* TOP TOTAL on the UNDER Florida/Tampa.

We will continue to "tread lightly" on the ice for the first week or so.

Here's a great "situational" call in my opinion.

These interstate rivals are very familiar with each other.

Tampa lost 6-2 at home to Pittsburgh in its opener, but it's bounced back with two straight tough OT victories on the road.

Now returning home again, I look for the Lightning to try and smother the dangerous Panthers here and control the tempo of this one as they try to punch their first victory of the season in front of the home town crowd.

The Panthers beat the Pens 5-4 and the Islanders 5-1. Clearly their offense is doing just fine.

But I don't expect that high-scoring trend to continue here. Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed an average of just 1.50 GPG here last season and I think he'll be in fine form tonight.

Finally note, Tampa has seen the total go UNDER in six of its last eight when playing against an opponent with a win percentage above .600.

This total is high, the play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP