Lightning vs. Panthers Game 2 Prediction, Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
The Panthers drew first blood in the series with a narrow 3-2 victory in Game 1 on Sunday afternoon, and have now earned the win in six of their past eight playoff games on home ice. The Lightning saw their recent scoring woes extended with Sunday’s loss, and have now mustered just two goals four times while losing four of their past five overall.
The Panthers lead the way as -185 favourites on Tuesday’s Game 2 odds, and have vaulted to short -400 chalk on the NHL series prices in the wake of Sunday’s win. The Lightning trail as +150 underdogs in Game 2, and have dipped to a +310 bet on the series prices and to distant +4500 longshots on the Stanley Cup odds. The total for Tuesday’s contest is pegged at 5.5, with -125 odds favouring the OVER.
Lightning vs. Panthers NHL Betting Odds
With Sunday’s victory, the Panthers extended their recent domination of the Lightning, and have now topped Tampa Bay in five of six meetings since December 2022 while surrendering just 2.17 goals per game. That victory also extended Florida’s current win streak on home ice to six games, during which they have recorded a pair of shutouts and surrendered just 1.33 goals per game. However, this club followed up by losing five of six at home when they last won six home contests back in February.
The Lightning find themselves in desperate need of an offensive boost if they are to rebound in this series. The Bolts recorded just 19 shots on goal in Game 1, marking the fourth time this season they have failed to reach 20 shots in a road game. However, this team has a track record of resilience after losing Game 1 of a playoff series, falling behind 2-0 on just three occasions in franchise history, most recently in 2019, when they were swept by Columbus in the first round.
Tampa Bay Lightning
With just 19 shots on goal in Game 1, there are few positives in the Lightning’s game to discuss. Brayden Point enjoyed the most chances, recording a team-high four shots and picked up an assist on Steven Stamkos power play goal in the dying seconds. Point has averaged a point per game in 10 outings this month, but just two total points in four dates with Florida this season. Stamkos tallied three shots and also picked up a helper on Sunday. The Lightning captain has racked up 18 points while cracking the scoresheet in 10 of his past 11 games, but has picked up at least a point in just three of nine playoff games. Nikita Kucherov also assisted on Stamkos’ goal, but was otherwise a non-factor in Game 1, recording just one shot and a -2 rating on the afternoon.
Florida Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk once again proved to be the difference maker in Game 1, setting up the tying goal, early in the third period before potting the game-winner into an empty net with just over two minutes remaining. Tkachuk has now scored four times and added seven helpers in eight games this month, and 12 total points in first round action since the start of last season’s playoffs. Aleksander Barkov extended his current points streak to four games with two assists and has picked up six helpers in four dates with Tampa Bay this season, and 16 points in his past 12 games overall. Meanwhile, it was a quiet afternoon for Sergei Bobrovsky, who needed to make just 17 stops in Game 1. Bobrovsky has now allowed just seven total goals during an impressive 4-0-1 run, but could benefit from a little more work in Game 2.
TB
FLA