- The Lightning are slight -125 favorites over the Panthers to start off Thursday night
- Can Tampa Bay avoid another 2-0 deficit or does history repeat itself?
- See the Game 2 Panthers vs Lightning odds, predictions, and prop picks, below.
The Florida Panthers treated Game 1 much like they did last year versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. Florida pushed, scratched, and clawed their way to a resounding 6-2 victory, which sent a message that Florida was ready to defend Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Now, the Tampa Bay Lightning entertain the Florida Panthers from Amalie Arena in Game 2. Online sportsbooks side with Tampa Bay slightly again in the NHL odds.
Puck drop is scheduled for just after 6:30pm ET, with TBS providing television coverage. MAX is an option for streaming viewers.
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
The Panthers vs Lightning odds skate in with a total of 5.5 goals, with a slight emphasis on the under. It does appear the over is trending closer and closer to 6 goals. The question is, does it ever get there?
Panthers vs Lightning Predictions
For my Panthers vs Lightning Game 2 prediction, I’m forecasting plenty of goals. I’m officially picking Over 5.5 on the game total, plus the Panthers Over 3.5 total goals as my best bets tonight.
Honestly, the Battle of Florida was built up as a series where Tampa Bay was fully healthy and ready to go. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers were waiting on their leader to light the switch and start off their Stanley Cup defense. Apparently, Matthew Tkachuk is fully recovered from the injury suffered at Four Nations. Tkachuk and the Panthers responded with a resounding 6-2 win in Tampa Bay.
Worse, Tampa Bay was mostly neutralized at their core strengths. Even with the Jake Guentzel power play goal, Nikita Kucherov was not quite the factor some anticipated. There were only 39 combined shots on goal in what was a muck-and-grind pace at times. Florida hits and hits and hits to the tune of 48 in Game 1. Tampa Bay could not absorb the blows and the ones on the scoreboard.
Also, the keys to Game 2 are simple. Tampa Bay must use their speed to avoid getting hit and stop the Sam’s as in Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart. Although, Tkachuk is a vital cog, he is far from the only one. Unfortunately, the Lightning may be too preoccupied in chasing the game again, as Florida can score and play downhill better than any team in the NHL
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Props
The fun part of the “Battle of Florida” lies in the fact that the game takes on a life of its own. Matthew Tkachuk and Nikita Kucherov embody this rivalry in different ways. Both have undeniable skill but Tkachuk has this edge that lies several notches above what consider human. Now, that intensity rubs off on the Florida Panthers. The numbers do not always reflect this but the Stanley Cup Odds could see a familiar tune soon.
Intrigue expects to rise for Brad Marchand tonight. Honestly, Marchand figures to poke around for a point at least tonight, and he missed three shots. So, a similar result to Game 1 would fill the bill and the coffers some. Yes, Marchand missed three shots too. Opportunities were there.
- Prop Pick: Brad Marchand Over 0.5 Points (+130)
Odds as of April 24th at DraftKings. Check out SBD’s DraftKings Sportsbook review to see the most updated sign-up bonuses.
The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are set to face off in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on April 24th. After a thrilling Game 1 that saw the Lightning come out on top with a 5-4 victory, both teams will be looking to make adjustments and come out on top in Game 2.
The Lightning are the defending Stanley Cup champions and are favored to win Game 2 with odds of -145. The Panthers, on the other hand, are the underdogs with odds of +125. Despite their underdog status, the Panthers have shown throughout the regular season that they are a formidable opponent and have the ability to compete with the best teams in the league.
One key factor to watch in Game 2 will be the performance of the goaltenders. In Game 1, Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made 35 saves to help secure the win for his team. Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, on the other hand, allowed five goals on 40 shots. If Bobrovsky can bounce back and have a strong performance in Game 2, the Panthers will have a better chance of coming out on top.
Another key factor to watch will be the special teams play. In Game 1, the Lightning scored two power-play goals on five opportunities, while the Panthers went 0-for-3 on the power play. If the Panthers can improve their special teams play and capitalize on their opportunities with the man advantage, they will have a better chance of winning Game 2.
In terms of prop bets for Game 2, one interesting option to consider is betting on the total number of goals scored. In Game 1, there were a total of nine goals scored between the two teams. With both teams boasting potent offenses, there is a good chance that Game 2 could also be a high-scoring affair.
Overall, Game 2 between the Panthers and Lightning is shaping up to be another exciting matchup. With both teams hungry for a win, fans can expect a hard-fought battle on the ice. Whether you’re betting on the game or just tuning in to watch, be sure to keep an eye on the key factors mentioned above to see how things unfold.
