Florida Panthers vs
Tampa Bay LightningPredictions & Preview

Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning Prepare for Potential Playoff Showdown in Sunshine State Battle

In an upcoming matchup between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, both teams from the Sunshine State are gearing up for a potential first-round playoff showdown. The Panthers recently suffered a 5-3 loss to the Rangers, while the Lightning secured a 7-4 victory against Buffalo. With the Panthers holding a 7-3 advantage in their last 10 meetings, including a 2-1 win in their most recent matchup, the stage is set for an exciting game. Despite being the underdog, Tampa Bay is favored to win with a current line at -180. Stay tuned for our Panthers vs. Lightning prediction.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Panthers +159 | Lightning -180
• Spread: Panthers +1.5 (-160) | Lightning -1.5 (+140)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 64%.

Florida vs Tampa Bay Stats

Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers had their three-game win streak ended by the Rangers in a home game. They are currently ranked third in the Atlantic Division with a record of 47-30-4. The Panthers are 13th in the league in goals per game, averaging 3.03 goals, and are 7th in goals against, allowing 2.66 goals per game. They have a power play success rate of 23.7% and are 10th in penalty killing at 80.6%. Despite owning the lead at various points in the game, the Panthers were unable to hold on and ended up losing to the Rangers. The game was tied at three after the second period but Florida was outscored 2-0 in the third period. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves in the loss. Florida is currently ranked 12th in offense, scoring an average of 3.10 goals per game, and 4th in defense, allowing an average of 2.66 goals to be scored against them per game. Their overall power ranking is 3.

Tampa Bay Lightning Analysis

The Tampa Bay Lightning secured a much-needed victory against Buffalo, improving their record to 46-26-8 for the season and standing second in the Atlantic Division. The team boasts impressive offensive stats, leading the league with an average of 3.59 goals per game. Defensively, they are tied for 4th, allowing only 2.64 goals per game. Tampa Bay also excels in special teams, ranking 5th in power play percentage and 9th in penalty killing. Against Buffalo, the Lightning displayed a dominant offensive performance, ultimately winning 8-4. Key contributions came from players such as Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel, with goaltender Jonas Johansson making 21 saves. Looking ahead, Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start in goal for Tampa Bay. The team currently holds a power ranking of 4 and ranks first in the league for offense. Their recent matchups against Florida have resulted in a 1-2-0 record in favor of Tampa Bay.

Playoff Implications Loom as Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning Approach Final Games

The Florida Panthers will conclude their back-to-back schedule by playing their third game in four nights. As they are expected to be the road team in the opening round of the playoffs, there is speculation whether they will rest some key players in their regular season finale. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Lightning needs two wins and for Toronto to lose twice in regulation in order to potentially tie for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Therefore, it is anticipated that they will put forth maximum effort in their upcoming home game. Despite their recent struggles, the Lightning is projected to emerge victorious against their likely first-round opponent.

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