The first-round Stanley Cup playoff clash between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers will take place on April 23 at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay vs. Florida: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Tampa Bay Lightning
At the end of the regular season, the team secured third place in the East with 102 points. Notably, Tampa Bay emerged as one of the most reliable teams in the league, conceding only 219 goals while leading the NHL in goals scored, just six shy of the 300-mark.
Highlighting the roster, Nikita Kucherov amassed 121 points (37+84), topping the NHL scoring charts and winning the Art Ross Trophy. Also noteworthy is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who ranked second among goaltenders in saves and was among the top three in wins, save percentage, and goals against.
Last season, Tampa exited the Stanley Cup race in the first round, losing to Florida in five games. The upcoming playoffs will mark the team's eighth consecutive appearance, having reached at least the finals in 3 of the last 5 seasons.
Oliver Bjorkstrand will miss the first playoff series due to a lower-body injury.
- Tampa Bay has not scored more than three goals in regulation time in 5 of their last 7 NHL home encounters.
- The team won within 60 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home league games.
- At least six goals were scored in regulation time in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 NHL matches.
Florida Panthers
Paul Maurice's team finished fifth in the East and third in the Atlantic Division, accumulating 98 points over 82 games. This season, Florida ranked among the top ten teams in wins (47) and penalty killing (80.7%). Sam Reinhart stood out, tallying 81 points (39+42), becoming Florida's top scorer and sniper.
Last season, the club won the Stanley Cup, defeating Edmonton in seven games. It was the team's second consecutive final appearance. The upcoming playoffs will be the club's sixth in a row, having failed to advance past the first round twice during this period.
Aaron Ekblad will miss the next two games of the series, having been suspended for 20 games in March for using banned substances. Matthew Tkachuk is likely to return to the lineup in the first meeting of the series.
- Florida won in regulation time in 5 of their last 7 NHL meetings at Tampa Bay's venue.
- The club lost after three periods in their last four away league games.
- No more than five goals were scored in regulation time in 7 of Florida's last 9 NHL matches.
Tampa Bay vs. Florida: Match Prediction
Judging by Tampa Bay's regular season performance and their form heading into the playoffs, few can stop them in the first round. The team looks stronger than last season, showcasing excellent defense and a solid attack, with one of the league's best goalies, Andrei Vasilevskiy, performing convincingly. These factors suggest Tampa Bay could reach the finals, so I expect no issues in the first stage.
Florida's regular season was not as consistent as desired. The team is weaker than last season, and I'm not confident they can overcome the first round. Against another opponent, their chances would be higher, but with Tampa, they'll need to play above their capabilities to advance.
The teams have met three times in the playoffs, with Tampa Bay emerging victorious twice, and the winner has always advanced to at least the finals. Currently, I believe Tampa Bay is the team capable of reaching this stage, so I'll back them in the first match. Moreover, their recent head-to-head ended with a 1-5 defeat for Florida, and the club is currently on a six-game losing streak away (1 in OT).
My prediction: Victory for Tampa Bay Lightning
