Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Game 1 Prediction, NHL Odds
The Panthers advanced beyond the first-round of the playoff for the first time in 26 years by knocking off the Washington Capitals in six games, while the Lightning claimed a ninth straight playoff series win with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of their first-round matchup.
The Lightning lag as +136 underdogs despite garnering the support of 54 per cent of sports bettors. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions also enter Game 1 as +121 underdogs on the NHL playoff series prices. The NHL’s best team on home ice during the regular season, Florida has emerged as a -163 favourite on the Game 1 odds, and is -149 chalk to claim the series win. The total is pegged at 6.5, with the OVER sporting strong -130 odds.
Lightning vs. Panthers NHL Betting Odds
Tuesday night’s matchup at FLA Live Arena marks the fifth overall meeting of the season between these Atlantic Division rivals. These clubs split their four-game season series, with each claiming one win on the road. The Lightning bounced Florida from the playoffs last year, claiming their first round matchup in just six games. However, neither team has dominated head-to-head. Each club has earned nine wins in 18 overall meetings since the beginning of last season, with the Panthers winning five of nine home contests over that stretch. These teams combined to score 24 total goals over their two most recent clashes, snapping a 4-0-0 run for the UNDER in totals betting.
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Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning sealed their first round victory with a pair of wins in Toronto. However, they have struggled to maintain consistency on the road, losing 10 of 18 since early March, and have been limited to three or fewer goals on 12 occasions over that stretch. Brayden Point’s status for Game 1 remains uncertain after he suffered a leg injury during Game 7 in Toronto. Point has played a huge role in Tampa Bay’s recent playoff success, tallying 60 points over his past 53 postseason appearances. He also racked up four goals and five points in five regular season appearances against Florida.
Florida Panthers
With little to play for, the Panthers lost three of their final four regular season games. The club also lost two of their first three opening-round meetings with the Capitals before rebounding with three straight victories to clinch the series win. Florida now rides its first two-game home win streak in playoff action since 2012. More importantly, the Panthers have averaged 3.87 goals per game over their past 15 home meetings with the Bolts. But can they maintain that momentum against a Lightning squad that showed steady improvement on defence as the first-round progressed? Carter Verhaeghe provided an unexpected spark, scoring five goals and nine points over the club’s three straight wins against Washington. However, he was limited to just three points in last season’s playoff series loss to the Lightning, and failed to score in three dates with Tampa Bay this season.
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