The Florida Panthers are on total fire, currently riding a 13-game win streak, but the Tampa Bay Lightning are hoping to put that to an end. Florida has already clinched the Atlantic Division, but now has its sights on the President’s Trophy.
Tampa Bay has won four out of its last five games and is trying to catch the Maple Leafs for home ice in the first round.
See who we feel has the best shot to win in our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Lightning vs. Panthers on Sunday, April 24.
Lightning vs Panthers odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Lightning opened up as +110 road underdogs with the line not budging. The total opened up at 6.5 and hasn’t had any movement either.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Lightning vs Panthers predictions
Predictions made on 4/24/2022 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Lightning vs Panthers game info
• Location: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL
• Date: Sunday, April 24, 2022
• Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet, Bally Sports
Lightning vs Panthers betting preview
Key injuries
Lightning: Brent Seabrook D (Out).
Panthers: Carter Verhaeghe C (Questionable), Aaron Ekblad D (Out), Markus Nutivaara D (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Lightning vs Panthers head-to-head record in 2021-22
Lightning: 1-2 SU, 7 goals for.
Panthers: 2-1 SU, 15 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 4-0 in their last four Sunday games. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs. Panthers.
Lightning vs Panthers picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have become one of the most electrifying rivalries in the NHL over the past few seasons.
The Lightning are gearing up to compete for their third straight Stanley Cup run. They have put some great games together over a five-game stretch and their offense is cooking right now. During this span, Tampa has scored a total of 28 goals.
Steven Stamkos has looked like his normal self for the first time in a long time as he has 35 goals and 58 assists for 93 points this season and recently became the Lightning’s all-time leading scorer. He is the driving force behind the Bolts' offense right now and Florida will have to focus on shutting him down.
The Panthers have looked great in their defensive end during the win streak. They have only allowed eight goals in their last five games thanks to the strong play of their goalies, Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight. Bobrovsky got the start in the Panthers game yesterday so it is likely that Knight will get the nod today.
The Lightning have the edge in goal as they are also playing the second half of a back-to-back. Brian Elliott started yesterday, which means tonight will be Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Vasilevskiy has been a top goalie all year long, sporting a .917 SV% and a third-best 26.6 GSAx. He can always be relied upon and I think this game matters so much more for Tampa and I think Vasilevskiy will steal this one on the road.
Prediction: Lightning moneyline (+105 at BetMGM)
Over/Under analysis
Whenever these two teams meet it is expected that there will be a ton of goals scored since they are both highly skilled offensive teams, but the goaltending also happens to be very strong.
Both teams are very strong defensively as they both rank in the Top 10 for goals-against average. The Lightning are the better defensive team, ranked sixth, only allowing 2.74 goals against per game and the Panthers are ninth giving up 2.82.
Spencer Knight has gotten the last three games off after an amazing performance in his last start against the Detroit Red Wings on April 17. In that game, Knight made 33 saves and only allowed one goal. On the season, he is 18-8-3 with a .909 SV% and a 2.77 GAA.
There is a lot of offensive talent in this game, but with the playoffs being just a week away, the team defenses are starting to tighten up. I love the goalie matchup in this game and I think 6.5 is too high of a number. I like the Under.
Prediction: Under 6.5 (+110 at BetMGM)
Best bet
The Lightning’s power play has been a huge reason why they are finding success lately. They have scored goals on the man advantage in four straight games for a total of seven in that span. They have the 10th best power-play unit in the league, converting on 22.7% of their chances. The Panthers' penalty kill is decent, but not great, ranking 15th and killing off 79.9% of their penalties.
Going against the Panthers is definitely risky, but in rivalry games like this one, tempers flare and special teams play a huge factor. Both teams are very strong in that department, but Tampa just looks unstoppable in this recent stretch.
I also love the goaltending advantage in the Bolts' favor, trusting Vasilevskiy more than Knight. I think the Lightning find a way to win this one on the road and get a much-needed two points.
Pick: Lightning moneyline (+105 at BetMGM)
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