In this article, we will formulate a Lightning vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, April 15, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers (47-30-4, 35-46 ATS) were on a five-game losing skid but responded with three consecutive wins. However, the Panthers couldn’t make it four in a row as they lost 5-3 to the New York Rangers. With that loss, Florida’s chances to climb up to the 2nd place in the Atlantic Division pretty much evaporated. Even if they beat Tampa here, the Panthers will be 3rd and play the Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.
The Panthers average 3.02 goals per game this year (14th), while they allow 2.69 GPG (7th). Sam Reinhart leads the team with 81 points (39 G and 42 A). Aleksander Barkov contributes 71 points (20 G and 51A), while Matthew Tkachuk has 57 points (22 G and 35 A).
Sergei Bobrovsky (33-19-2) will likely take his place in the cage for the Panthers on Tuesday against the Lightning. The 36-year-old is allowing 2.44 goals per game this year with a .906 SV% and five shutouts.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning (46-26-8, 42-38 ATS) lost four of the previous six games and missed an opportunity to fight for the top place in the Atlantic Division. During that span, the Lightning lost to the Senators, Sabres, Maple Leafs, and Red Wings, while they beat the Rangers and Sabres. The Lightning will have a home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs against Florida.
The Lightning score 3.59 goals per game on average (1st), while they concede 2.64 GPG (4th). This season, Nikita Kucherov leads the team with 119 points (36 G and 83 A). Brandon Hagel has 90 points (35 G and 55 A), while Brayden Point chips in with 79 points (41 G and 38 A).
Andrei Vasilevskiy (37-20-5) is expected to start for the Lightning at the goal on Tuesday against the Panthers. The 30-year-old is allowing 2.20 goals per game this year with a .921 SV% and six shutouts.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Panthers’ last eight games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Lightning’s last six home games have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last 12 Tuesday night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in eight of the Panthers’ last nine games at Amalie Arena.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank T4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.64).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 5th in the league in power play percentage this season (26.34%).
- The Florida Panthers rank 2nd in the league in short-handed goals this season (12).
- The Florida Panthers rank 3rd in the league for shots per game this season (31.7).
Lightning vs Panthers Prediction
The Panthers won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters, including three of the last four. This season, the Panthers lead the series 2-1 and have already secured a win in Tampa when it was 4-2. I expect to see at least six goals again, mostly because of the Lightning’s form of late as seven of their last ten games went Over. Tampa Bay allowed four goals in each of the last three games, and I am backing the Panthers to score at least three. Florida managed to do so in eight of the previous ten H2Hs. Back the Over.