Panthers vs Lightning Prediction 2/5/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Panthers vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, February 5th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Florida Panthers Betting Preview

The Florida Panthers are 29-24-3 this season after they defeated Boston in a shootout by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Florida led 4-2 after the second period, but they allowed two goals in the third, before escaping with the win in the shootout. The Panthers were out shot by a total of 29-26, won 47.9% of the face-offs, and went 2-3 on the power play in the game. Florida got goals from Lundell, Luostarinen, Tkachuk, and Balinskis, while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 out of 29 shots, which was an .862 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Florida lost to the Sabres by a score of 5-3 and the Jets by a score of 2-1. The Panthers have lost four of their last five games and they are currently seventh in the Atlantic standings with 61 points. Florida has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 3.27 goals against per game, while also going 18.4% on the power play and 82.6% on the penalty kill this season. Sam Reinhart has led Florida with 27 goals and 27 assists, while Brad Marchand has added 25 goals and 25 assists. The projected starting goalie for Florida is Daniil Tarasov, who is 8-7-2 with a 2.67 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 36-14-4 this year after they defeated Buffalo in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 3-2 in the third period, but they tied the game with 26 seconds left, before winning with 15 seconds left in overtime. The Lightning out shot Buffalo by a total of 35-26, won 50.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Bjorkstrand, Guentzel, Kucherov, and Raddysh, while Vasilevskiy stopped 23 out of 26 shots, which was an .885 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Bruins by a score of 6-5 and the Jets by a score of 4-1. The Lightning have won four games in a row and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 76 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.50 goals per game and they have allowed 2.54 goals against per game, while also going 22.4% on the power play and 83.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 29 goals and 61 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 25 goals and 34 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 26-7-3 with a 2.14 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Lightning have won each of their last 10 home games following a win.
• The Panthers have lost each of their last six games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Lightning at Benchmark International Arena.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games after coming off a shootout.
• Lightning has covered the puck line in four of its last five road matches when playing with a rest advantage against Panthers.
• The Panthers have lost the third period in eight of their last nine night games following a shootout win.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Lightning’s last six games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Panthers’ last six games as road underdogs following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Six of the last seven 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 10 games after coming off overtime.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last five games after coming off overtime.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nikita Kucherov has scored at least one goal in seven of the Lightning’s last eight games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in eight of the Lightning’s last nine games.

Florida Panthers Player Prop Facts

• Sam Reinhart has scored at least one goal in six of his last seven road appearances against the Lightning.
• Matthew Tkachuk has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances with the Panthers as underdogs.

Panthers vs Lightning Prediction 

Tampa Bay comes into this matchup on a four game winning streak and they have scored 14 goals in their last three games. The Lightning are 17-9-0 at home this year, while the Panthers are 14-11-0 on the road. Florida snapped their losing streak with a shootout win last night, but they will be on a back to back here. The Panthers have played very poorly this year and they have allowed at least four goals in four of their last five. Take TB to win by at least two goals here.

David Racey's Pick: Lightning -1.5