Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction 12/15/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

The Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning meet Monday in NHL action from the Benchmark International Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning prediction.

Florida Panthers Recap

The Florida Panthers come into this game looking to add on to their 4-0 win over Dallas last time out to sit at 16-13-2 this season. After this game, Florida will head home for a game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Panthers Win 4 Of Their Last 5

Going into Saturday’s game against Dallas, Brad Marchand leads the Panthers with 31 points including a team-high 16 goals and 15 assists while Anton Lundell has 23 points with 8 goals and 15 assists. Sam Reinhart’s chipped in 28 points with 15 goals and 13 assists while Seth Jones has 17 points with 5 goals and 12 assists. Carter Verhaeghe has 23 points with 9 goals and 14 assists and Evan Rodrigues has 16 points with 8 goals and 8 assists. Mackie Samoskevich has 15 points with 4 goals and 11 assists. Sergei Bobrovsky’s gone 12-8-1 with a 2.98 GAA and an .882 save percentage while Daniil Tarasov has gone 3-5-1 with a 2.84 GAA and a .903 save percentage so far this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Recap

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be out to bounce back from their 3-2 shootout loss to the New York Islanders to sit at 18-11-3 this season. After this game, the Lightning will also take on the Los Angeles Kings as the Kings finish their Florida back-to-back.

Lightning Drop 5 Of Last 7

Entering Saturday’s matchup against the Islanders, Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 36 points including 13 goals and 23 assists while Brandon Hagel has 29 points with 17 goals and 12 assists and Jake Guentzel has 29 points with 14 goals and 15 assists. Victor Hedman has 12 assists and Anthony Cirelli has 18 points with 9 goals and 9 assists. Darren Raddysh has also added 20 points with 3 goals and 15 assists as well on the year. Andrei Vasilevskiy has gone 11-6-2 with a 2.31 GAA and a .917 save percentage while Jonas Johansson is 6-5 with a 2.53 GAA and a .907 save percentage this season.

Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends: December 15, 2025

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Lightning have won each of their last four night games after coming off a shootout.
• The Panthers have lost four of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight home games after coming off a shootout.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Panthers have lost the third period in eight of their last nine games at Benchmark International Arena when trailing after the second period.

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.
• Five of the last six games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the Panthers’ last five games against Atlantic Division opponents 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.
• Jake Guentzel has recorded a point in nine of his last 10 home appearances against the Panthers.
• 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 three hits against the Panthers this season – most against any opponent.

Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts

• 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.
• Sam Reinhart has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight road appearances against the Lightning.
• Sam Reinhart ranks T1st in the league for Game Winning Goals (5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 2nd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (85.44%).
• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.56).
• The Florida Panthers rank T5th in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).
• The Florida Panthers rank 6th in the league for shots against per game this season (26.5).

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction

I’m on the Panthers and the plus money in this one. This is a rivalry matchup and one of the premier ones in the NHL right now, but the health of Andrei Vasilevskiy, or lack thereof, has made the goalie matchup a little bit one-sided as I’m expecting Sergei Bobrovsky to go for the Panthers here. Jonas Johansson is a decent backup, but a backup nonetheless, and I think the Panthers take care of business to get the win on the road here. Give me the Panthers.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Florida +125