In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Monday, December 15th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 18-11-3 this season after they lost to the Islanders in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 2-0 after the first period, but they scored once in the second and once in the third, before losing in the shootout. The Lightning out shot New York by a total of 34-17, won 50.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Moser and Raddysh, while Johansson stopped 15 out of 17 shots, which was an .882 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Devils by a score of 8-4 and the Canadiens by a score of 6-1. The Lightning have won two of their last three games and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 39 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.25 goals per game and they have allowed 2.56 goals against per game, while also going 18.2% on the power play and 85.4% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 13 goals and 29 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 15 goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Jonas Johansson, who is 7-5-1 with a 2.59 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this season.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are 16-13-2 this year after they defeated Dallas by a score of 4-0 in their last game. Florida scored three goals in the second period and added an empty net goal in the third in the shutout win. The Panthers out shot Dallas by a total of 23-15, won 52.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Bennett, Lundell, and Marchand (2), while Bobrovsky stopped all 15 shots in the shutout victory.
Prior to that game, Florida lost to the Avalanche by a score of 6-2, but did beat the Mammoth by a score of 4-3 before that. The Panthers have won four of their last five games and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 34 points. Florida has scored 3.13 goals per game and they have allowed 3.16 goals against per game, while also going 18.7% on the power play and 82.2% on the penalty kill this season. Brad Marchand has led Florida with 18 goals and 16 assists, while Sam Reinhart has added 15 goals and 15 assists. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 13-8-1 with a 2.84 goals against average and an .886 save percentage this year.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The Panthers have won five of their last six games as underdogs against the Lightning.
- The Lightning have lost each of their last three games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in 18 of their last 19 games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Panthers have won the third period in eight of their last nine road games against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Lightning’s last 11 night games against Atlantic Division opponents at Benchmark International Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Panthers’ last five games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in five of the Lightning’s last six home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last nine Monday games.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Darren Raddysh has scored at least one goal in each of the Lightning’s last three games.
- Victor Hedman has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Lightning’s last nine home games against the Panthers.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances in home games.
Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts
- Sam Reinhart has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight road appearances against the Lightning.
- Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in five of his last six road appearances against the Lightning.
- Brad Marchand has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six Monday night appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
Lightning vs Panthers Prediction
Florida rolls into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they have scored at least four goals in all four of those wins. The Panthers are 6-7-0 on the road this year, while the Lightning are 8-7-0 at home. Tampa Bay has struggled over the last two weeks and they continue to deal with some major injuries. I think Florida is in better form right now and even if Vasilevskiy is back, I like the Panthers to get the road win.