Florida Panthers vs
Tampa Bay LightningPredictions & Preview

Florida Panthers aim to clinch series against Tampa Bay Lightning with Game 5 win, Lightning facing elimination

The Florida Panthers are seeking to close out their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a win on Wednesday. With a 3-1 series lead following a 4-2 victory in Game 4, the Lightning must win to stay alive and force a Game 6. Florida currently has no players listed on the injury report, while Tampa Bay will be without Oliver Bjorkstrand and Brandon Hagel is considered day-to-day. The betting odds favor Tampa Bay at -121. Be sure to check out our detailed Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning prediction for more insight and free NHL picks.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Panthers +105 | Lightning -121
• Spread: Panthers +1.5 (-250) | Lightning -1.5 (+210)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 55%.

Florida vs Tampa Bay Stats

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers staged an impressive comeback in the third period on Monday, scoring two goals within 11 seconds to take a 3-2 lead and ultimately secure a two-goal win with an empty-netter. Despite trailing 2-0 early in the second period, the Panthers rallied with only three shots on goal in the third period, tying the game with less than four minutes remaining and taking the lead shortly after. The goals, scored by defensemen, set a Stanley Cup Playoff record for the fastest goals by two defensemen on the same team. In terms of statistics, Florida took 23 shots, delivered 46 hits, and won 48.1% of faceoffs, while going 0-for-3 on the power play. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky boasted a .900 save percentage with 18 saves on 20 shots. The Panthers' strong defensive effort and control of the neutral zone played a key role in slowing down the Tampa Bay attack and securing the victory. With a power ranking of 3, Florida currently ranks 15th in offense (scoring an average of 3.07 goals per game), 4th in defense (allowing an average of 2.71 goals against per game), and holds a season record of 50-32-4.

Tampa Bay Lightning Analysis

In the recent matchup between Tampa Bay and Florida, Tampa Bay took an early 2-0 lead in the second period but allowed Florida to narrow the gap to 2-1 by the end of the period. Brandon Hagel left the game after a high hit to the chin area and headed straight to the locker room, with no penalty assessed to Florida. Despite having a 5-minute power play in the first period, Tampa Bay could not capitalize on the opportunity. The Lightning had a low shot count of 20 and made fewer hits than Florida, but made more blocked shots. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 19 saves on 22 shots faced. With a power ranking of 4, Tampa Bay ranks first in offense, third in defense, and has an overall record of 48-30-8. Florida has a recent record of 1-2-0 in their last 3 matchups against Tampa Bay.

Panthers Look to Capitalize on Momentum in Game 5 Against Lightning

The upcoming game between Tampa Bay and Florida presents an opportunity for the Panthers to secure a series win with a more open style of play, free from the pressure of elimination. Florida's goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, displayed a .900 save percentage in Game 4, while Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy had a .864. The Panthers have proven to be successful against the Lightning in recent matchups, winning 13 of the last 18 head-to-head contests and seven of the last nine games on Tampa Bay's home ice. However, Tampa Bay may face a setback if left wing Brandon Hagel is unable to participate in Game 5, as his strong performance throughout the season has been a significant asset to the team. Florida's recent success and the absence of Hagel could potentially impact the outcome of the upcoming game.

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