The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers at Amalie Arena on Sunday in the Sunshine State. This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams after the Panthers eliminated the Lightning in the first round of the playoffs.
Florida and Tampa Bay have been battling for supremacy in the Sunshine State for a few years now with the Panthers slowly overtaking the Lightning.
My Panthers vs. Lightning predictions expect to see a high-scoring game in my best NHL picks on Sunday, December 22nd.
Panthers vs Lightning prediction
My best bet
Over 6 (-122 at DraftKings)
My analysis
This is the first meeting between these rivals since the Florida Panthers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games in the playoffs. That was an intense, physical series, which is what we’ve come to expect from these two.
That physicality tends to lead to many penalties and, therefore, many goals. At least six goals have been scored in three straight meetings and five of the eight matchups this calendar year.
The Panthers have continued their presence as a high-scoring team in today’s NHL. They’ve gone Over the total in 20 of their 34 games while the Over for the Lightning is 14-13-3.
Both of these teams are relatively healthy with just a depth piece missing on each side. The big guns are ready to go for this one and we should see a high-scoring affair in Tampa Bay.
Panthers vs Lightning same-game parlay (SGP)
Over 6
Sam Reinhart 1+ points
Brayden Point 1+ points
Sam Reinhart and Brayden Point have both been scoring rather consistently this season.
Reinhart leads the Panthers with 43 points in 34 games and has been held off the scoresheet just six times this year. He’s currently on a three-game point streak and has a point in six of his last eight contests.
Point is also up there with 38 points in 26 games, 11 shy of Nikita Kucherov for the team lead. Still, he’s riding a seven-game point streak and has found the scoresheet in 22 of his 26 games this season.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Panthers vs Lightning odds
Panthers vs Lightning live odds
Panthers vs Lightning opening odds
- Puck line: Florida +1.5 | Tampa Bay -1.5
- Moneyline: Florida -102 | Tampa Bay -110
- Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Panthers vs Lightning trend
The Tampa Bay Lightning have hit the Game Total Over in 23 of their last 43 games at home (+5.35 Units / 11% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Lightning.
How to watch Panthers vs Lightning
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL |
| Date: | Sunday, 12-22-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 5:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSNSUN, SCRIPPS |
Panthers vs Lightning latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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