Panthers vs. Lightning Game 3 Prediction, Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
The Panthers eked out a 3-2 overtime win on home ice in Game 2 on Tuesday night, and have now topped the cross-state rival Lightning in six of seven meetings including three straight wins in Tampa Bay. The Lightning return home looking to avoid falling behind 3-0 in the series, but have claimed victory in just two of their past seven overall contests.
After coming up short by a 3-2 margin in each of the first two games of the series, the Lightning return home as razor-thin -115 favourites on Thursday’s NHL Game 3 odds. The panthers closely trail as a -105 bet on Thursday night, but remain firmly in control on the NHL series prices, where they have rocketed to -900 chalk in the wake of their Game 2 victory while Tampa Bay sits well off the pace as a +600 longshot. The total for Thursday’s matchup is pegged at 6.0. with the OVER slightly favoured at +115 despite the trend towards low scoring so far in the series.
Panthers vs. Lightning NHL Playoff Betting Odds
The Panthers extended their recent stingy ways in Tuesday’s win. The club has allowed just 11 total goals while seven of their past eight games including each of their past six. That run has paid dividends for sports bettors taking the UNDER in totals betting, which is currently on a 7-1 run. However, Florida has produced mixed results on the road of late, surrendering four or more goals four times while losing five of their past seven. The UNDER has also paid out with regularity when these teams meet, going 14-5 in their past 19 dates and in each of their past nine playoff clashes.
While the Panthers have slammed on the door on opponents, the Lightning has struggled to generate offence, scoring just two goals in each of their defeats while losing five of their past six. Historically, Tampa Bay has responded well when facing an 0-2 series deficit, going 5-2 all-time. However, they would gone on to be swept in each of the series in which they fell behind 0-3.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers were fortunate to escape with the win on Tuesday after squandering an early 2-0 lead. However, Florida shooters had their opportunities while outshooting the Lightning by a 37-23 margin, and have now outshot the Bolts by a 65-42 overall margin in the series. Carter Verhaeghe led the attack, tallying a team-high six shots including the game-winning goal in overtime, and has now scored in three straight games and two of his past thre road appearances. A light workload has benefited netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, who has now surrendered just six total goals during a four-game win streak.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Victor Hedman set up both goals in the lightning’s comeback in Game 2 and Steven Stamkos scored the equalizer and has now potted 13 goals in 12 games. Nikita Kucherov has also chipped in an assist in each of the first two games but has not flashed the dominating form he displayed down the stretch while racking up 35 points over his final 17 regular season games. Overall, Kucherov has scored just twice in his past 16 playoff performances and has recorded no goals and just three assists in his past five playoff home games.4
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