Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview
The Lightning and Panthers are set to face off at 7:30 ET on ESPN2. The Panthers will host the game at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, FL.
The over/under for this Atlantic division contest is set at 5.5 goals, with the Panthers being favored by -1.5 at home against the Lightning. Check out BetCoco for Florida Panthers – Tampa Bay Lightning odds
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The last three times that the Panthers have faced off vs. the Lightning as the favorite, they have gone 2-1. Looking back over the previous three times that the Lightning and Panthers have faced off, they have combined to average 8 goals per game and have an over/under record of 2-1.
- When looking at their past ten road matchups, Tampa Bay has an puck line record of 7-3 while averaging 3 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
- Across the Panthers last ten home games, the team averaged 2 goals per game while allowing 2. Their record vs the puck line in these contests was 3-7, while going 6-4 straight-up.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Panthers have a straight up record of 4-6. Their record vs the puck line in these games was 9-1.
- Looking back on the team’s last three games as the favorite, the Lightning have a straight up record of 1-2. Their record vs the puck line in these games was 1-2.
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction
Heading into this game, the Lightning are in 6th place in the Eastern Conference and 4th place in the Atlantic Division. On the year, Tampa Bay has gone 45-29-8, including a 26-24 record against other Eastern Conference teams. Over their last ten games, the Lightning are 4-6, and they have gone 1-4 in their last five games.
On the road this season, Tampa Bay has gone 20-18-3, and they have lost their last two road games. As the underdog this season, the Lightning have gone 14-12-5, and they have been the underdog in 31 of their 82 games this year.
On the offensive side, the Lightning are scoring an 3.5 goals per game this season, ranking 5th in the NHL. When it came to shots on target per game, they are 22nd in the league. This season, the Lightning have a 25-14 record in games where they outshoot their opponent. In games with fewer shots on goal, they hold a 19-12 record.
Heading into this matchup vs. Florida, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has started 52 games in this season. His current record is 30-20, and his save percentage stands at 0.879%.
At home this season, the Panthers have been dominant, going 26-13-2 and winning five straight games in their own building. Overall, Florida has gone 52-24-6, including a 46-19-2 record as the favorite. In the Eastern Conference, the Panthers are in third place and have won four straight games.
Over their last ten games, Florida has gone 7-3 and has won five straight games as the favorite. In the Atlantic Division, the Panthers are in first place, and they have gone 17-9 against divisional opponents. In the Eastern Conference, Florida has gone 33-17.
For their offensive performance, the Panthers come in averaging 3.2 goals per game this season, which is 11th in the NHL. In the category of shots on goal per game, they are 2nd in the league. So far this year, the Panthers are 38-19 in games they have had more shots on goal than their opponent. They are 10-4 in games with fewer shots on goal.
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky comes into the game having made 58 starts this season. So far, his record is 36-17 and he has a save percentage of 0.948%.
Despite being 1.5 goal underdogs, we predict the Lightning to come out on top with a final score of 4-3.
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Tips
- We like the Lightning on the moneyline (+147)
- The Lightning are also our pick on the spread at +1.5
- Our NHL model projects 7 goals, and we suggest taking the under
Florida Panthers Injury Report
No Injuries Reported
Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Report
- Haydn Fleury – Undisclosed – Questionable
- Brent Seabrook – Shoulder/Back/Hip – Out
- Jonas Johansson – Lower Body – Questionable
- Mikhail Sergachev – Leg – Out
- Logan Brown – Undisclosed – Out
