The Florida Panthers (35-15-4) travel to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (30-20-5) on Saturday, February 17th. This game will be played at Amalie Arena in Tampa and televised on ESPN+. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Puck drop is set for 5:00 ET.

Panthers vs Lightning

The Florida Panthers Are Coming Off A Win

Through 54 games, the Panthers have the best record in the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division. Florida has won four straight games and has gone 8-2 in their last ten games. On the road, the Panthers have won ten straight games and have a record of 19-7-2.

Overall, Florida has gone 35-15-4 this season and has been favored in 44 of their 54 games. Against other teams in the Eastern Conference, the Panthers have gone 18-7 this year.

Florida enters this game with a puck line record of 27-27 for the season, including going 4-1 vs. the puck line in their last five games. So far, the Panthers have 23 wins by multiple goals and an average scoring differential of +.8 goals per game.

On the road, Florida has a puck line record of 17-11 and has gone 7-3 vs. the puck line in their last ten road games. Overall, the Panthers have gone 19-25 vs. the puck line when favored, and their average scoring differential as the favorite is +.8 goals per game.

The Panthers most recently took on the Sabres and secured a win with a score of 4-0. In all three periods, the Panthers’ offense found the net against the Sabres. Florida’s one power-play goals contributed to their total of 4 goals. Their offensive performance came with 31 shots on goal and three giveaways.

Florida secured a win against the puck line, entering the game as the favorites with a -1.5 goal advantage. The game ended below the over/under line of 6.5, with a combined total of 4 goals.

The Tampa Bay Lightning Are Coming Off A Win

At home this season, the Lightning have been dominant, going 18-5-3 and have won eight straight games at Amalie Arena. Overall, Tampa Bay is 30-20-5 and sits in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division and 5th in the Eastern Conference.

Over their last ten games, the Lightning are 7-3 and have won three straight games. As the underdog, Tampa Bay has gone 9-11-4 this season and has lost their last two games when not favored.

At home, the Lightning have a puck line record of 17-9 this season and an average scoring margin of +1.2 goals per game. Overall, Tampa Bay has gone 29-26 against the puck line, including a puck line record of 7-3 in their last ten games.

So far, the Lightning have 21 wins by multiple goals compared to just nine wins by one goal. As the underdog, Tampa Bay has a puck line record of 14-10, and their average scoring margin in those games is -.8 goals per contest.

In their most recent game, the Lightning faced the Avalanche and came out victorious with a score of 6-3. In the first period against the Avalanche, the Lightning scored two goals, in addition to scoring four times in the 3rd period. In the game, Tampa Bay managed to score all six goals at even strength. They concluded with 39 shots on goal and committed 3 turnovers.

Coming into the game favored by -1.5, Tampa Bay also managed to pick up a victory against the puck line. The over/under line going into the game was 6.5 goals, which the teams surpassed with their combined 9 goals.

Florida Offense Breakdown

When looking at their offense, the Panthers have an average of 3.2 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 12th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 1st in the league. In terms of power play goals, the Panthers offense is 5th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they are 19th in the NHL.

The Panthers come in with an over/under record of 19-33-2. Over the course of the season, they have had 35 games failing to surpass the 6.5 goal over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is at 5.7 per game.

Lightning Offense Breakdown

On offense, the Lightning are averaging 3.5 goals per game which is 4th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are 16th in the league. Tampa Bay’s offense is currently ranked 1st in power play goals. When it comes to shorthanded goals, they are 28th in the league.

The Lightning come in with an over/under record of 25-26-4. Over the course of the season, they have had 28 games failing to surpass the 6.5 goal over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is at 6.7 per game.

Florida Team Defense

Defensively, the Panthers are currently 27th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 27.4 shots per game against Florida. They also are 8th in shutouts, coming in with 4 shutouts.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

Tampa Bay defense takes on the Panthers ranked 16th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are averaging 29.7 shots per game against Tampa Bay. They also are 12th in shutouts, with 3 shutouts.

Panthers vs Lightning Trends

• In their last five road games, Florida has averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 1 . The team’s record in this stretch was 5-0 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
• When looking at their past five home matchups, Tampa Bay has an puck line record of 5-0 while averaging 6 per game. The team went 5-0 overall in these games.
• As the betting underdog, the Lightning have an puck line mark of just 1-2 in their last three games. Tampa Bay posted a straight up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Panthers have gone 6-4 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 8-2.

Panthers vs Lightning Prediction

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Lightning to take down the Panthers at home. With the moneyline currently at +104, I’m placing my bet on the Lightning straight-up.

Our projections have the Lightning pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Lightning, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to 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.