Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 3 Prediction, Playoff Odds
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Nik Kowalski
The Panthers have not won a playoff series since 1996 and are now in danger of going winless in the 2021 playoffs as the series shifts to Amalie Arena for games three and four. Tampa Bay meanwhile looks primed for another Cup run with a healthy Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, both of whom had points in games 1 and 2.
Puck drop in Tampa Bay is set for 6:30 p.m. EST.
Panthers vs. Lightning Stanley Cup Odds
Goaltending has been the difference during 120 minutes of physical playoff hockey in Florida. Probable Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy made 32 of 33 saves in Game 2 and was frankly a brick wall, while Florida turned to Chris Driedger in Game 2 and he made 26 of 28 saves in his first career playoff start. Driedger is expected to start Game 3 for the Panthers, but there’s talk about whether Florida should go with a third different goalie this series with 2019 first-round pick Spencer Knight on standby. Going back with Sergei Bobrovsky is another option.
With the win on Tuesday the Lightning have won 14 of their last 20 games against Florida. Tampa Bay is a -151 favourite on the NHL odds in Game 3 while the over-under is set at 5.5. The over is 6-1 in the last seven Panthers–Lightning games in Tampa Bay and has hit in 12 of their last 17 meetings overall.
Florida Panthers
A four-goal-per-game average was going to be difficult to keep after doing in so in Game 1, but one goal against a healthy Tampa Bay roster won’t result in much success. Mason Marchment was Florida’s lone goal scorer in Game 2, a game they never held a lead in.
The question for Florida is who Joel Quenneville will start in net for Game 3. Bobrovsky, who started Game 1, started a team-high 30 games but had a team-worst .906 save percentage. Driedger’s likely Florida’s best bet after starting 23 games and posting a .927 save percentage.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Steven Stamkos’ first goal since April 8 opened the scoring in Game 2 as Tampa Bay’s top-six continued to dominate early on these playoffs. Kucherov leads all skaters with four points through two playoff games while line-mate Brayden Point is right behind with two goals and one assist. Ondrej Palat and Yanni Gourde got their first goals of the playoffs in Game 2, Palat also picking up an assist on Gourde’s empty-netter.
Tampa Bay’s scoring, hitting, stopping pucks, and even taunting Panthers’ with the Chicken Dance (see Pat Maroon) — they’re going to be a tough out this post-season.
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