Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
28 February 2023
The 2022-23 NHL season is really starting to heat up, and the playoff races are starting to get more exciting in both conferences. On Tuesday night, it will be the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Florida Panthers, and it’s an important game for each team.
Florida comes into this game with just 64 points on the year, and they are fighting for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers have plenty of work to do if they want to reach the postseason, but they have gone just 2-3 in their last five games.
Tampa Bay comes into this game having lost three of their last five games as well, and they are trying to hang on to a playoff spot. The Lightning have picked up 78 points on the year, and they are going to be a tough team to deal with in the postseason.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the moneyline betting favorites at -161 over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
Panthers Have to Defend
The Florida Panthers have the ability to score with any team in the league, but at some point, this team must defend. Florida is giving up nearly 3.5 goals per game this season, and they are scoring 3.4 goals on the year.
The penalty kill has been a major issue for the Panthers all season long, as they are killing off just 74 percent of their penalties. Florida wants to play fast, but they just have to provide more help to their goaltenders.
Matthew Tkachuk leads the team with 50 assists and 78 points on the year, but he is going to need some help as the year moves along.
Lightning Finding Some Offense
The Tampa Bay Lightning are scoring nearly 3.6 goals per game this season, and they have scored on the power play 26 percent of the time. Tampa Bay has a team full of offensive weapons, and they could have a big day against the Panthers.
Nikita Kucherov leads the way with 62 assists and 85 points on the year, and he is having one of the best seasons of his career. Not only can the Lightning score, but they can also get some stops on defense.
Tampa Bay is holding opponents to less than three goals per game, but they really struggled in the most recent meeting with the Panthers.
Panthers Pick Up Big Win
This is the fourth game of the year between the Panthers and Lightning, and there have been some surprising results. Tampa Bay has won two of the first three games, but the Panthers picked up a 7-1 win over the Lightning earlier this month.
Florida is going to be playing desperate hockey for the rest of the season, and that does make them a dangerous team. The Panthers will be looking to take some chances with the puck, and that is going to make them very dangerous.
Bet the Florida Panthers moneyline as they go on the road and pick up a very impressive win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in this rivalry game.
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All Media on this page by Associated Press.
