The Florida Panthers (28-24-3) and Tampa Bay Lightning (36-14-4) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Fla. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Lightning are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-110o / -110u). The Lightning are a -220 favorite to win outright, while the Panthers are +180 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Panthers vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks.
Panthers vs. Lightning Odds, Pick
| Panthers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -135 | 6 -110o / -110u | +180 |
| Lightning Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +115 | 6 -110o / -110u | -220 |
- Panthers vs. Lightning Spread: Panthers +1.5 (-135), Lightning -1.5 (+115)
- Panthers vs. Lightning Over/Under: 6 (-110o / -110u)
- Panthers vs. Lightning Moneyline: Panthers +180, Lightning -220
Panthers vs. Lightning Preview
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers may show some tired legs on Thursday, as they enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back. It is also their third game in four days, which does not bode well for an offense that ranks in the bottom half of the league in goals scored per game this season.
However, the good news for Florida is that Daniil Tarasov is slated to start in net. He has put together a quietly strong campaign, posting an 8-7-2 record with a .904 save percentage and a 2.61 goals-against average through 18 appearances.
With this combination of below-average offensive play and solid goaltending, there have been six or fewer total goals scored in four of Tarasov’s past six starts.
Tampa Bay Lightning
That low-scoring trend is likely to continue against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Not only are the Panthers entering this matchup fatigued, but their below-average offense will face one of the best goaltenders of all time in Andrei Vasilevskiy
Adding to an already stacked résumé, Vasilevskiy is producing another brilliant season. Through 36 starts, the veteran netminder is 26-7-3 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average.
There have been six or fewer total goals scored in seven of Vasilevskiy’s past nine starts. His job is made easier by an elite defensive group.
Entering this matchup, the Lightning rank fourth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Panthers vs. Lightning Prediction
Tampa Bay’s offense is the primary obstacle to the under, which explains why the total is set as high as six. That said, Tarasov has proven capable of limiting high-powered attacks.
Over the past month, Tarasov has held both the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche to two or fewer goals.
Each of those teams ranks alongside the Lightning in the top five in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
Pick: Under 6 (-110, bet365)
