Florida Panthers (37-21-3) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (35-20-4)
Game Info: Monday, March 3, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Amerant Bank Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Florida Panthers -122 / Tampa Bay Lightning +102 — Over/Under: 5.5
In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers Prediction for this NHL game on Monday, March 3rd at the Amerant Bank Arena. To formulate this prediction, we will look at:
-The Lightning’s recent form and recent player performance
-The Panthers’ recent form and recent player performance
-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Tampa Bay
-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Florida
-Recent betting trends in games played between Tampa Bay and Florida
-A summary that ties it all together produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Lightning and Panthers.
Lightning are on Fire
The Lightning are on fire heading into this game and have won eight games in a row. The defense has also been elite, and over the last four games, they have given up only three goals in total. On Saturday against the Washington Capitals, the Lightning gave up only one goal to Alex Ovechkin, leading to the 3-1 victory. It was a balanced offensive attack with three players putting one in the back of the net. Andrei Vasilevsky was in goal, and he saved 20 of the 21 shots that he faced. It was even better two games ago against the Calgary Flames, and they won 3-0.
The Lightning are averaging 3.56 goals per game, and the offense will need to get out to a fast start again. The offense has gotten attention, but what the defense has done lately just shows how good the defense has been. The Lightning are healthy heading into this game. Andrei Vasilevsky is expected to get the start in this game. He sits with a 29-15-3 record, and he’s giving up 2.21 goals per game. The Lightning have won the last eight games he has played, and the last seven have been all the puck line.
Why the Lightning Will Beat the Panthers
- The Panthers have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Lightning have won nine of their last 10 games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in nine of the last 10 games between the Lightning and Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five night games at Amerant Bank Arena following a home win.
- The Panthers have lost the third period in each of their last five night games at Amerant Bank Arena when trailing after the second period.
Can Panthers Defense Step up?
The Panthers have been playing really well heading into this game, and they have won three games in a row. In the last game against the Calgary Flames, they secured a 3-0 victory. Sergi Bobrovsky was in goal and saved all 23 shots that he faced. Evan Rodrigues was the top offensive player, scoring a goal and adding an assist. Two games ago against the Edmonton Oilers, the defense was up three goals, but they still held on for the one-goal victory. Anton Ludell had a huge game scoring a goal and adding an assist. The Panthers will meet the Blue Jackets and Sabres after this game.
Why the Panthers Will Beat the Lightning
- The Panthers have won seven of their last eight home games.
- The Lightning have lost nine of their last 12 road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Lightning have lost the third period in six of their last seven games at Amerant Bank Arena when trailing after the second period.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers Prediction
The Panthers’ stats have been good overall, but against a good offensive team, the defense will need to step up. I expect they are going to fail that. The Panthers offense has been getting attention, averaging 3.28 goals. It’s not going to be about the lack of defense; it’s going to be about both offenses jumping out to a fast start, and this game will end up with higher scoring. The over is 4-0 in the Lightning’s last four games against the Atlantic. The over is 4-0 in Florida’s last four games against the Eastern Conference. There will be plenty of scoring, and the over will end up cashing.