Last year was a historic first for the Lightning and Panthers. Florida and Tampa Bay met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time. Although Florida lost the series, its appearance created new interest and enthusiasm. And Tampa Bay went on to win the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season. This year the Lightning are not the favorite they used to be with the NHL betting odds. But Tampa Bay showed its championship mettle with a game seven win at Toronto. The NHL loves this matchup for the excitement it will create in Florida.
2022 Stanley Playoffs Eastern Conference Second Round Panthers vs. Lightning
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 7:00 p.m. ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL. |
| TV Coverage: | TNT, ESPN, ABC |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | +1½ (-190) | 6½ (-135) | +130 |  |
| Panthers | -1½ (+165) | 6½ (+115) | -150 | |
| ||||
SBG Odds Overview – Florida Panthers Chills Out
On the whole, this is the time of year when the Florida heat starts to turn the state into a sauna. But the biggest topic of conversation in the Sunshine State will be ice. For the second consecutive year, the two NHL teams in the state have an online betting playoff matchup. And it could be the best one in the second round. Florida won the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the regular season. In comparison, Tampa Bay is aiming for its third consecutive Stanley Cup championship.
How Gamblers See It
Naturally, the Lightning will draw plenty of casual betting support against the Panthers. Tampa Bay appeals to the comfort zone of casual gamblers as the 2-time defending Stanley Cup champion. Squares have great familiarity with the Lightning. Since 2015, Tampa Bay has been to three Stanley Cup Finals. Tampa Bay has credibility at the betting window that few teams in any sport can match.
Despite having the best record in the NHL, the Panthers remain an unknown brand to the masses. As a result, sharps will likely prefer Florida in this series. Most Wise Guys believe they will get a better price on a team that is as good if not better than the Lightning.
Panthers Overcome Obstacles
At the onset of the season, Florida bolted out of the gate with eight consecutive wins. But after the seventh win, head coach Joel Quenneville was forced to resign. A sexual abuse scandal that occurred during his time with the Chicago Blackhawks blew up. And Quenneville was judged to have been too passive, along with the rest of Chicago’s management at that time. Thus, Andrew Brunette was named interim coach.
Brunette replaced a 3-time Stanley Cup championship coach in Quenneville. Additionally, Quenneville had the Panthers on the right path. Brunette faced skepticism and doubts that he was ready to be a head coach for the first time. But as Quenneville’s top assistant, he had the advantage of familiarity with the team and its successful systems.
Tampa Bay Lightning is the Battle-Tested Champion
In the last series, the Lightning rallied from a 3-2 deficit to eliminate the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3. Tampa Bay won the seventh game at Toronto 2-1. While many players were essential in the win, none was more important than Andrei Vasilevskiy. Specifically, in-game seven, Vasilevskiy was the difference-maker. Florida faces a tall task in lighting the lamp against the world’s top-rated goaltender.
Panthers Bring Pressure
First for goal scoring was a Florida calling card. In their first-round NHL betting playoff win over the Capitals, Florida’s goal scoring was the difference.
SBG Best Bet: Florida Panthers.