by Rod Pearson
Friday, Feb 16, 2024
Game Time: 5:00 pm ET, Saturday, February 17, 2024
Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Panthers -120, Lightning +100; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Panthers -120, Lightning +100; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Panthers -120, Lightning +100; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Florida Panthers: 35-15-4 (1st place, Atlantic Division)
Tampa Bay Lightning: 30-20-5 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)
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Recent Form
Florida Panthers: 8-2-0 last 10
Tampa Bay Lightning: 7-3-0 last 10
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Preview and Analysis
The Panthers are entering this game with 74 points, a 35-15-4 record overall, and they are 19-7-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Buffalo Sabres in their last game, winning that on the road 4-0. Carter Verhaeghe led the team in goals scored with 2 while Anton Lundell and Ryan Lomberg each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling each led the team in assists with 2 while Anton Lundell, Ryan Lomberg, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson each led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Anthony Stolarz was the starting goalie in that game and he recorded the shutout as he allowed 0 goals on 45 shots with 45 saves and a 1.000 save percentage. Their offense has scored 176 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 133 goals against them allowing 2.5 goals per game.
The Lightning are entering this game with 65 points, a 30-20-5 record overall, and they are 18-5-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Colorado Avalanche in their last game, winning that one at home 6-3. Nikita Kucherov led the team in goals scored with 2 while Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, Anthony Cirelli, and Nick Perbix each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Brandon Hagel led the team in assists with 2 while Nikita Kucherov led the team in shots on net in that game with 6. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 31 shots with 28 saves and a .903 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 191 goals this season averaging 3.5 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 180 goals against them allowing 3.3 goals per game.
Panthers vs Lightning Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lightning listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lightning have looked good in their games this season with their 30-20-5 record overall which has them in 3rd place of their division in the East and in a playoff spot right now. They have been surging up the standings lately with their 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games and they have also looked great on home ice this year with their 18-5-3 home record. Meanwhile, the Panthers have also looked great in their games this season with their 35-15-4 record overall which now has them in 1st place of their division in the East with one of the best records in the entire NHL. They have also looked great in their road games all season with their 19-7-2 road record. The Panthers have also been really hot in their games lately with their 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games and both of these teams are going to bring their best effort here in this Florida rivalry considering how hot each team has been. This is going to be a tight game either way but the value here is with the home team as an underdog. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lightning to win this game.
Panthers Lightning Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Saturday, February 17, 2024 (5:00 pm ET start time) is Lightning 5 Panthers 4.
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NHL Betting Trends
Florida Panthers: 152-97 (+11.7 units) on the moneyline in all games. 51-28 (+21.8 units) on the moneyline vs. division opponents. 25-13 (+7.5 units) on the moneyline after a 4 game unbeaten streak. 33-19 UNDER in all games. 19-8 UNDER in a road game where the total is 6 or more. 8-4 UNDER off a road win scoring 4 or more goals.
Tampa Bay Lightning: 19-24 (-15 units) on the moneyline after a 3 game unbeaten streak. 52-42 (-9.6 units) on the moneyline after a win by 2 goals or more. 16-8 UNDER after one or more consecutive overs. 5-1 UNDER after a 3 game unbeaten streak. 8-4 UNDER after scoring 3 goals or more in 3 straight games.
Key Injuries
Florida Panthers: W. Lockwood (RW) Out indefinitely - Concussion.
Tampa Bay Lightning: T. Jeannot (LW) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. M. Sergachev (D) Out indefinitely - Leg. B. Seabrook (D) out for season - Shoulder. L. Brown (C) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
“We didn’t look anywhere near what we normally look like tonight. And I’m not complaining about the effort. That’s what they had to give. We just weren’t sharp or fast. But our goalie was good. And a lot of nights, that’s all that matters.” - Paul Maurice after his team’s win against the Sabres in their game on Thursday.
“It was fun to see those two guys out there going against each other. Fortunately it went our way.” - Jon Cooper after his team’s win against the Avalanche in their game on Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Florida Panthers
LW Verhaeghe, Carter
C Barkov, Aleksander
RW Reinhart, Sam
LD Forsling, Gustav
RD Ekblad, Aaron
G Stolarz, Anthony
Tampa Bay Lightning
LW Stamkos, Steven
C Point, Brayden
RW Kucherov, Nikita
LD Hedman, Victor
RD Raddysh, Darren
G Vasilevskiy, Andrei
Statistical Leaders
Florida Panthers
Points: S. Reinhart (65)
Goals: S. Reinhart (39)
Assists: M. Tkachuk (42)
GAA: A.Stolarz (1.97)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: N. Kucherov (93)
Goals: N. Kucherov (36)
Assists: N. Kucherov (57)
GAA: A. Vasilevskiy (2.77)
Coaches:
Florida Panthers: Paul Maurice (2nd season)
Tampa Bay Lightning: Jon Cooper (12th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
