Orlando, Fla. Florida’s very own two NHL teams, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, are scheduled to hit the ice and go head-to-head in a 2024-25 preseason game taking place in Orlando’s Kia Center on Wednesday, September 25.

Hosting the upcoming preseason game is the Orlando Solar Bears as an ECHL-affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Being an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning since the 2018-19 season, President Chris Heller of the Solar Bears is excited to host this battle yet again, according to the Kia Center press release on the event. “We are thrilled to welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning back to the Kia Center for their preseason contest against the Florida Panthers on September 25,” Heller said in an interview with Orlando-News.

Seeking to become the first repeat champions since the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Panthers are favored by sportsbooks across the nation to win the NHL’s most wanted prize again this hockey season, according to ESPNBET, an ESPN sports-betting website.

Supported by ESPN, favorable bets are being placed in response to the Florida Panthers predicted success by fans all over the nation, however, that does not take away from the talent on the Tampa Bay Lightning that may put up a tough fight for the Panthers this season.

The standout player for the Tampa Bay Lightning is Nikita Kucherov, known for his exceptional skill and playmaking ability. Kucherov leads the team in points, showcasing his versatility as both a scorer and an assist maker; his ability to read the game and make crucial plays will put up a challenge for the Panthers in this upcoming game as his leadership and skill have been instrumental to the Lightning’s victories.

With the upcoming release of NHL 25, EA Sports ranked Kucherov in the third spot overall for right wingers in the newest edition of the game. “Kucherov starts NHL 25 with a 95 OVR rating off the back of his excellent 2023-2024 season, one that saw him earn 100 assists and reach heights only a few players, including Wayne Gretzky, ever reached,” according to a recent Sports Illustrated article. 

Jon Cooper, the head coach for the Lightning since 2013, speaks highly of Kucherov’s performance when being asked about the team’s key players this season in a recent interview with “The Drop” podcast on ESPN with Greg Wyshynski.

“…One in particular is Nikita Kucherov, who for my money has been the best player in the league. He’s been the guy that’s carried us on both ends of the ice” Cooper said. “There’s a reason our Power Play is No. 1 in the league right now — a big part is because of him.”

Alongside alternate captain Nikita Kucherov and contributing to the leadership that is showcased on the Lightning’s team this year is the recently-named captain Victor Hedman. Hedman, the eleventh captain in the Bolts franchise, carries an impressive history with Tampa as he enters his fifteenth season with the Lightning this year.

As the player with most ice time recorded from a single player in all of the Lightning’s franchise history, Victor Hedman is vital to Tampa Bay’s team, according to Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois. 

“Victor is a cornerstone player that is extremely well-respected by his teammates, coaches and peers across the NHL. Over the past 15 seasons, he has been a world-class representative for our organization both on and off the ice,” BriseBois said in a recent press release with the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Despite high hopes for the Lightning with valuable and leading players, the Florida Panthers are chasing a back-to-back Stanley Cup Championship Title.

Expected to be a vital player for the Florida Panthers season goal this year is Aleksander Barkov, the first Finland-born NHL captain to win a Stanley Cup. As the team’s captain, Barkov has been a pivotal figure, leading by example with his exceptional two-way play. Barkov excels both offensively and defensively, making him one of the most well-rounded players in the league; his vision, passing accuracy, and scoring ability have been crucial in driving the Panther’s past and future success.

Wayne Gretzky, known as a hockey legend with the leading number of career goals, assists and points in NHL history, had something to say about Aleksander Barkov in a Sportsnet panel during Game 1 of this year’s Stanley Cup Final.

“I just said to my wife sitting there during the first period, I said, ‘No. 16 is the best defensive hockey player I’ve seen since Bryan Trottier,” Gretzky said with Sportsnet. “I got Bryan Trottier four games, and what did I get? No goals. And what did we get? No Cup… Barkov makes an unreal pass and he’s good offensively, too, like Trottier was.”

With talents undeniably on both ends of this matchup, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are both expected to bring some high intensity competition and heat to local hockey fans and the Orlando Kia Center on September 25.