Notwithstanding their Stanley Cup championship, the Lightning face stiff competition. Carolina and Florida are showing far better than expected. Tampa Bay, the Hurricanes, and Panthers are in a three-way fight for the Central Division’s top position. Making Thursday’s matchup between Tampa Bay and Florida must-see TV. Specifically, Florida is finally showing the promise that many have patiently waited for. Tampa Bay has been good, but hardly dominant with the NHL betting odds. Perhaps the Lightning has a bit of a Stanley Cup hangover going. But it’s not a championship look.
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, April 15, 2021, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida |
| Panthers at Lightning TV Coverage: | NBCSN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | +1½ (-170) | 5½ (-120) | +140 |  |
| Lightning | -1½ (+150) | 5½ (EV) | -160 | |
| ||||
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Odds Overview
Naturally, the Lightning at home is going to be popular sports betting draw. Tampa Bay is publicly regarded as a traditional power. And as defending Stanley Cup champions, they bring the ultimate gambling cache. By contrast, Florida is still off the radar with the masses. Years of mediocrity have conditioned gamblers to expect the worst from the Panthers. Wise Guys have grown to appreciate Florida. Cause of their lack of public appeal and effective play. Most emphatically, the Panthers offer consistently good results and prices. Tampa Bay remains one of the highest-priced teams on the board.
Florida Panthers Team Overview
Of major concern to the Panthers is the season-ending injury to top defenseman Aaron Ekblad. His absence is beginning to catch up to Florida. To illustrate, the Panthers have lost three of their last four games. Three of those four contests stayed under the total. Now Florida is 26-12-4 with 19-21 under the total. The Cats are two points out of the top spot of the Central Division.
Overall, Center Aleksander Barkov leads with 17 goals, 26 assists, and a plus-12.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Overview
Later on, the Lighting has won four of their last six games. Three of their previous four games cleared the total. Tampa Bay is 28-11-2 with 21-18 over the total. First place with the Hurricanes is where the Lightning began the week. Tampa Bay ranks 2nd for goals scored and 5th for the power play. Defensively the Lightning ranks 8th for goals against and 11th for penalty killing.
To show, defenseman Victor Hedman has seven goals, 30 assists, and a plus-nine.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
- Florida is 2-6 in their last eight away games
- The Panthers have gone under the total in five of their last seven away games
- Tampa Bay is 5-2 in their last seven home games
- The Lighting is 1-3 under the total on home ice
- Tampa Bay has paid in 11 of their last 14 games against Florida
- The Lighting and Panthers went over the total in ten of their last 11 games
- Florida has lost eight of their previous nine visits to Tampa Bay
- Seven of the last eight between these teams at Tampa went over the total
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Free Picks
As mentioned earlier, the Lightning owns this NHL betting rivalry. Especially at Amalie Arena, Florida has struggled. Ekblad’s absence is a killer for the Cats.
Panthers at Lightning SBG Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning.