Lightning vs Panthers Prediction 12/27/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Panthers prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 27th at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 20-13-3 this season after they defeated St. Louis by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they scored the last two goals to pull away with the win. The Lightning were out shot by a total of 24-17, won 49.1% of the face-offs, and went 2-4 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Bjorkstrand, Cirelli, Holmberg, and Raddysh, while Vasilevskiy stopped 23 out of 24 shots, which was a .958 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Hurricanes by a score of 6-4, but lost to the Kings by a score of 2-1 before that. The Lightning have won two games in a row and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 43 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.25 goals per game and they have allowed 2.61 goals against per game, while also going 18.1% on the power play and 84.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 13 goals and 32 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 17 goals and 21 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 13-7-2 with a 2.32 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season. 

Florida Panthers Betting Preview

The Florida Panthers are 20-14-2 this year after they defeated Carolina by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Florida trailed 2-0 in the third period, but they scored the last five goals to pull away with the comeback victory. The Panthers out shot Carolina by a total of 22-19, won 43.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Bennett, Kunin, Lundell, Jones, and Mikkola, while Bobrovsky stopped 17 out of 19 shots, which was an .895 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Florida lost to the Blues by a score of 6-2, but did beat the Hurricanes by a score of 4-3 before that. The Panthers have won five of their last six games and they are currently fourth in the Atlantic standings with 42 points. Florida has scored 3.19 goals per game and they have allowed 3.14 goals against per game, while also going 19.0% on the power play and 82.2% on the penalty kill this season. Brad Marchand has led Florida with 20 goals and 21 assists, while Sam Reinhart has added 19 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 16-8-1 with a 2.78 goals against average and an .889 save percentage this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Lightning have won each of their last four games as road underdogs.
• The Panthers have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as road underdogs.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games as favorites.
• The Panthers have lost the third period in four of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Lightning’s last five night games at Amerant Bank Arena following a home win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Four of the last five games between the Lightning and Panthers have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Four of the last five night games between two teams from the Atlantic Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last four games following a home win.

Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts

• Carter Verhaeghe has scored at least one goal in four of the Panthers’ last five games as home favorites.
• Brad Marchand has recorded at least one assist in each of the Panthers’ last four games.
• Sam Reinhart has scored two goals against the Lightning this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Hagel has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances with the Lightning as road underdogs.
• Victor Hedman has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five appearances with the Lightning as underdogs.
• Darren Raddysh has recorded three hits against the Panthers this season – equal-most against any opponent.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Florida Panthers rank 5th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.22).
• The Florida Panthers rank 7th in the league for shots against per game this season (26.7).
• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 5th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.61).
• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank T6th in the league for goals per game this season (3.25).

Lightning vs Panthers Prediction 

Florida comes into this matchup after winning five of their last six games and they have scored at least four goals in three of their last five. The Panthers are 12-7-2 at home this year, while the Lightning are 10-4-3 on the road. Tampa Bay has won two in a row, but they have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last five. The Lightning have been a bit inconsistent in recent games, but they are elite defensively and already have a win over Florida on the road. Take the Lightning here.

David Racey's Pick: Lightning ML