The Tampa Bay Lightning (18-11-2) travel to face off against the Florida Panthers (22-11-2) on Monday, December 23rd. This game will be played at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise and televised on ESPN+. The Panthers are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Lightning are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Jets. Puck drop is set for 7:00 ET.

Lightning vs Panthers

The Tampa Bay Lightning Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Tampa Bay’s defense struggled in a 7-4 loss to the Jets, bringing their record to 18-11-2. The Lightning were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

Tampa Bay led 2-0 in the first period, but the Jets responded with seven of the game’s next nine goals. Four different Lightning players found the net in the loss.

The Florida Panthers Are Coming Off A Win

With a 4-2 win over the Stars, the Panthers moved to 22-11-2 this season. Florida covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals fell just short of the 6.5-goal line.

All four of Florida’s goals came from different players, with A.J. Greer breaking a 2-2 tie at 2:32 in the third period. Sam Reinhart added an empty-netter at the 19:00 mark to seal the victory.

Tampa Bay Offense Breakdown

In their 7-4 loss to Winnipeg, Tampa Bay’s offense fired 30 shots on goal and netted four times. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point followed with his 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov scored his 10th, unassisted, at 13:09 in the third period to tie the game 4-4.

The Lightning had 8 giveaways and recorded 4 assists. Jake Guentzel picked up his 8th assist on Chaffee’s goal, and Nick Paul added his 7th assist. Victor Hedman and Kucherov each earned their 10th assist on Point’s power-play goal.

Panthers Offense Breakdown

Carolina’s offense found the net four times in their 4-2 win over Dallas. A.J. Greer scored his first goal of the season, while Sam Reinhart added his 10th with an empty-netter. The Panthers took 25 shots on goal and scored once on a power play.

Carolina opened the scoring with Evan Rodrigues’ third goal of the season in the first period. Matthew Tkachuk followed with his third goal, which came on a power play in the second period. The Panthers wrapped up their scoring with two goals in the third period.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

Defensively, the Lightning will look to bounce back after allowing 7 goals to the Jets, including two empty-netters. Goalie Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with a save percentage of 84.4%. Tampa Bay’s defense also registered 6 takeaways and 16 hits.

Florida Team Defense

After allowing two goals in the second period, the Panthers’ defense tightened up in the third, helping them secure a 4-2 win. Spencer Knight made 23 saves with a 92% save percentage, and the defense contributed 8 takeaways and 22 hits.

Lightning vs Panthers Trends

• Tampa Bay has played well in their previous 5 road games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 4 goals per game while allowing 2. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 5-0.
• Florida has played well in their previous three home games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 0. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 2-1.
• Florida has done well both straight up and vs the puck line when favored to win the game, going 4-1 SU and 4-1 puck line in their last five games.
• Through their last three games as the favorite, the Lightning have an puck line record of 3-0 and a straight up mark of 3-0.

Lightning vs Panthers Prediction

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Panthers to take down the Lightning at home. With the moneyline currently at -153, I’m placing my bet on the Panthers straight-up.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Lightning to cover. Even if the Panthers secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Lightning should cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.