The Florida Panthers had to feel good after the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Florida Panthers watched their division rival Tampa Bay Lightning have to survive Toronto in a brutal back-and-forth affair and knew they had home-ice advantage in their back pocket. However, the Panthers’ Western Conference semifinal with Tampa Bay has been anything but enjoyable.
The Panthers were stung late in Game 2, conceding the game-winning goal with 3 seconds left. Tampa Bay then beat up Florida in Game 3, blanking the high-flying Panthers in the second and third periods to take a 3-0 series lead. NHL betting picks seem to indicate Florida will soon be headed to the golf course.
The Panthers will try to start the climb against history during Game 4 in Tampa. Only four teams have ever recovered from 3-0 deficits to win a series.
Last games records
Tampa Bay beat Florida 5-1 Sunday at home. The Lightning leads the series 3-1.
Matchup information
Panthers at Lightning Betting Analysis
Florida Analysis
NHL betting stats show that the Panthers have seen a major decline in their offense since the postseason started. During the regular season, Florida averaged 4.1 goals and 37.3 shots per game, both of which led the league. Those numbers have seen a considerable decline during the postseason.
The Panthers have only scored 23 goals in nine games and have been getting 33.7 shots on the goal per game. In Florida’s three games this series, the Panthers have only scored one goal in each game. Tampa Bay’s defense has been suffocating.
Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has come under fire for his postseason play. Over his career, including stints with Columbus, Bobrovsky is 17-27, including 6-10 with the Panthers. He has a .906 save percentage during this postseason.
Tampa Bay Analysis
The Lightning is within one game of moving on to the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth time in eight years. Tampa Bay is able to rely on netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy to set the tone of games for them. Vasilevskiy stopped 34 of 35 shots he saw in Game 3 to allow the Lightning to take a stranglehold of the series.
NHL expert picks show that Tampa Bay is 3-1 at home thus far in the playoffs. The Lightning’s offense has seen scoring come from all over the lineup. Tampa Bay has had 14 different players score goals in the playoffs. Ross Colton and Corey Perry have five goals apiece for the Lightning.
Updates
Tampa Bay center Brayden Point missed Game 3 with a leg injury and may be out for Game 4 as well. Florida left-wing Mason Marchment may be unavailable for Game 4.
- The over is 47-35 in the Panthers’ games this season.
- The over is 49-40 in the Lightning’s games this season.
- Florida is 44-46 against the puckline this season.
- Tampa Bay is 44-47 against the puckline this season.
- The first three games of this series went under the total.
Panthers at Lightning Betting Preview
NHL betting odds have the Lightning as a -122 favorite on the moneyline. The Florida Panthers are +106 on the moneyline. The over/under is set at 6.5 goals.
Panthers at Lightning Betting Prediction
When it comes to playoff hockey, the Lightning has the most important x-factor. Vasilevskiy, a former Vezina Trophy winner for the NHL’s top goalie, has shown off his top-end pedigree throughout this postseason. For a Florida team that relied heavily on its offensive firepower, not finding a way to score has been crippling.
The Panthers have also been outdone by the effort of Tampa Bay. For Florida to have only scored three goals in three games shows the Lightning are prepared to dig in and make life difficult on the Panthers. Florida has had one of the best seasons in franchise history, but they ran into a juggernaut. Expect Tampa Bay to close out the show in Game 5 and inch closer toward having an opportunity to three-peat as champion.
How to Bet Panthers at Lightning
Bet Tampa Bay -122.
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