NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Panthers vs Lightning (Saturday, February 17)
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
Panthers vs. Lightning Odds
| Panthers Odds | -115 |
| Lightning Odds | -104 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +102o / -124u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, February 17 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Three games in four nights is never easy, let alone all on the road. However, the Panthers are riding high since returning from the All-Star break. They’ve won four in a row, including the back-to-back this week against the Penguins and Sabres.
Let's get to my pick for Panthers vs. Lightning.
The season Sam Reinhart is having is remarkable. We're only 54 games into the season, but he’s already destroyed his career high in goals, and is well on his way to 50. The team behind him, led by Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe, is really carrying the load. All three, including captain Aleksander Barkov, are averaging well over a point per game.
Florida’s 5-on-5 play is red hot. For the past month, the Panthers have ranked first in expected goals with a 57.95 xGF% and first defensively with a 2.15 xGA/60.
Along with the elite 5-on-5 play, Florida’s special teams are top tier. It scores on the power play at a 25.14% clip and the penalty kill is just as good at 83%.
Since Anthony Stolarz started on Thursday, we’ll probably see Sergei Bobrovsky tonight, especially in a division-rival matchup. Bobrovsky has had himself a really strong season, winning his past five starts, and playing to a .914 SV% and a 10.1 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
When discussing the Hart Trophy, it seems as if the trophy is Nikita Kucherov’s to lose. The Russian winger continues to light up the scoresheet with a staggering 90 points in 53 games. Both Brayden Point and Victor Hedman are each averaging a point per game, and Brandon Hagel has solidified himself as a legit scoring threat.
For the majority of the season, Tampa’s 5-on-5 play was dreadful. But in the past month it’s starting to pick up. Offensively, there’s still work to do with a 49.46 xGF%, but defensively the Bolts are a rock with a 2.28 xGA/60.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is widely known as one of the league’s premier goaltenders. However, since returning from back surgery, he hasn’t been himself — which is far from a surprise given the circumstances. He’s played to an unlikely .903 SV% and a 7.3 GSAx.
(Hockey bettors: Check out the latest developments on the launch of North Carolina sports betting online!)
Panthers vs. Lightning
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Battle of Florida always gets my blood pumping.
Tampa is riding high and getting hot at the perfect time. However, Florida is probably the best team in the NHL, which sparks quite the dilemma.
However, I’m going to back the Panthers tonight.
Pick: Florida Panthers Moneyline at -128
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