Tampa Bay Lightning vs
Florida PanthersPredictions & Preview

Tampa Bay Lightning narrow series deficit against Florida Panthers with 5-1 win in Game 3, aiming to even the score in Game 4

The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently on the road playing the fourth game of their Eastern Conference first-round best-of-seven series against the Florida Panthers. After defeating Florida 5-1 in Game 3 on the road on Saturday, Tampa Bay narrowed their series deficit to 2-1. This win ended a three-game losing streak for Tampa Bay dating back to the regular season. Florida's two-game winning streak was also snapped with this loss. Tampa Bay will be without Oliver Bjorkstrand for this game. Florida is the betting favorite in this matchup, with the opening line at -129 and the current line at Florida -142. For more details and analysis, be sure to read the in-depth prediction for the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Lightning +122 | Panthers -142
• Spread: Lightning +1.5 (-225) | Panthers -1.5 (+185)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Florida will win straight-up is 59%.

Tampa Bay vs Florida Stats

Tampa Bay Lightning

Despite two initial losses, the Tampa Bay Lightning rebounded with a strong performance in Game 3 against Florida. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stood out with 33 saves, helping secure a crucial win for the team. Tampa Bay's offense came alive with goals from multiple players, including Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. With a power ranking of 4, Tampa Bay remains a formidable force in the league, leading in offense and performing solidly on defense. The team will look to maintain their momentum in the upcoming game to avoid falling behind in the series.

Florida Panthers Analysis

The Florida Panthers can potentially take a 3-1 series lead by winning at home in Game 4 after a tough loss in Game 3. Despite Matthew Tkachuk scoring the Panthers' only goal in the previous game, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky struggled, making just 17 saves on 21 shots faced. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad returned from suspension and will play a key role in shutting down the Lightning's attack in the upcoming game. The Panthers currently hold a power ranking of 3 and are ranked #15 for offense and #3 for defense, with an overall record of 49-32-4. In their last 3 matchups, Tampa Bay went 2-1-0 against Florida.

Florida Panthers Look to Bounce Back Strong After Game 3 Loss and Take on Tampa Bay

The Florida Panthers had a subpar performance at home during Game 3 on Saturday. However, the team is anticipated to make a strong comeback in the upcoming games. With goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky expected to deliver a better performance and a reinforced defense in place to support him both at the blue line and in front of the crease, Florida aims to create a more favorable environment for their netminder. Historically, the Panthers have a solid track record against Tampa Bay, winning 12 of their last 17 head-to-head matchups. Additionally, they have secured victory in 15 of their last 19 games hosted on their home ice and have prevailed in five of their last seven encounters with teams from the Atlantic division. Despite Tampa Bay's recent success, Florida is poised to put up a tough competition by employing a strong forecheck, solid play in the neutral zone, and effectively clearing the front of the crease to facilitate Bobrovsky's visibility in goal.

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