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Lightning vs. Panthers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
2 minute read
May 24, 2021
by Joe Williams
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com


Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Game 5 Predictions

Score Prediction Panthers 4 Lightning 3

The Panthers are back on home ice, although that didn't mean anything in the first two games of this series. Florida fell by a 5-4 score in Game 1 behind Sergei Bobrovsky, and 3-1 in Game 2 behind Chris Driedger. They have received rather shoddy goaltending in each outing of this series, allowing a total of 19 goals in the four games.

Tampa Bay rolled up a 6-2 win in Game 4 at Amalie Arena on Saturday, spoiling any thoughts of Florida jumping back into this series. Instead, the defending champs pushed their Sunshine State rivals to the brink.

The OVER has connected in three of the first four games in this series, as Florida has averaged 3.3 goals per game, with the Lightning racking up 4.8 goals per contest. As such, the OVER has been the best play in this series to date.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Game 5 Best Bets

  • OVER 5.5 (-120)

The goal total has gone OVER in three of the last four games played between the Lightning and the Panthers. (AP)

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Game 5 Odds

First Round Series Odds

  • Lightning -115
  • Panthers -105
  • Lightning (-1.5) +225
  • Panthers (+1.5) -275
  • Over 5.5 -120
  • Under 5.5 +100

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Game 5 Betting Analysis

  • Venue: BB&T Center
  • Location: Sunrise, Florida
  • TV-Time: CNBC - 8:00 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Lightning: 39-17-4 SU, 26-34 ATS, 30-27-3 O/U
Florida Panthers: 38-17-5 SU, 29-31 ATS, 30-25-5 O/U

The Panthers have registered a 4-1 record in their past five games as a favorite, while winning 15 of the previous 22 meetings in this series. The favorite is also 20-6 in the past 26 meetings, so all signs point to the visiting Lightning. However, you can expect a great effort from the homestanding Panthers here, as they have their backs against the wall.

They haven't gotten good results from Bobrovksy or Driedger, so now they'll hand the keys to rookie Spencer Knight. He has won all four of his career starts, all in the regular season. Knight might be able to help Florida extend this series, although three straight against the defending champs is still a long shot.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Series History

  • 05/22/2021 - Florida 2 at Tampa Bay 6 (-1.5) - Over 5.5
  • 05/20/2021 - Florida 6 (+1.5) at Tampa Bay 5 - Over 5.5
  • 05/18/2021 - Tampa Bay 3 (-1.5) at Florida 1 - Under 5.5

Projected Goalies

Tampa Bay: Andrei Vasilevskiy (31-10, 5 SO, 2.21 GAA, .925 SV%)

Florida: Spencer Knight (4-0, 0 SO, 2.32 GAA, .919 SV%)

2021 NHL Playoff First Round Betting Resources

Odds per BetMGM - Subject to Change


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