Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction and Betting Odds | NHL Oct 21
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Lightning haven’t gotten off to the start they want this season and look to pick up a much needed win against the Panthers tonight. Florida is 3-1-0 on the season but will they be able to contain Steven Stamkos and the rest of the Lightning? WagerTalk NHL handicapper Kevin Dolan breaks down this Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning in-state matchup.
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Odds
| Friday, October 21 | NHL Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Moneyline: | Florida Panthers -110 vs Tampa Bay Lightning -110 |
| Puckline: | Panthers +1.5 (-240) / Lightning -1.5 (+210) |
| Total: | 6.5 (Over -130 / Under +110) |
| Arena: | FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, FL (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings) |
| Game Time: | 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT |
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Analysis
Three-year Stanley Cup finalists the Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t got off to the greatest start so far this season, dropping three of their opening four games in the league, and will look for a response here on Friday against the Florida Panthers.
However, that’s not an issue that will likely concern the Lightning all that much, especially considering they won just two of their opening seven games to start last season as well.
They face a team in Florida later tonight who will likely be out for a little revenge after getting swept during last season’s conference second-round series against the Lightning, with Tampa blowing them out by multiple goals in three of those four losses as well.
Outside of their lopsided postseason meetings last year, the Lightning and Panthers split a four-game series during the regular season, with both teams winning and losing one at home and on the road.
Stamkos Runs Red-Hot For the Lightning
Despite Tampa’s recent disappointing run to start the season, Steven Stamkos has been lights out so far this year, ranking as the top offensive scorer in the league this season with six goals banked already.
That’s a facet of the game that hasn’t changed much for the Canadian center from last season either, where he ranked top ten on overall goals scored during the regular season, as well as being tied for the third most goals during the playoffs also.
Florida Haven’t Found The Same Offensive Form
The Florida Panthers ranked as last season’s best offensive team by quite some margin, notching a 0.31 goals per game advantage over their nearest competitors the Toronto Maple Leafs during the regular season, and had by far the highest expected goals average last year also.
The Panthers haven’t quite hit those same high marks to start this season however, tied for 14th on overall offensive scoring this year and ranking down in 12th on total expected goals as well.
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction
We believe the Lightning can bounce back with a win here on Friday going on the road down in Florida against the Panthers.
Despite their overall poor start to the season, Tampa Bay already ranks as the #1 team in the league this season on expected goals average, with the Lightning having the 4th lowest expected differential in the league to start the year, which highlights why their expected goals number hasn’t translated to actual goals yet, where they rank down in 27th in the league averaging just 2.50 goals per game this season.
However, that wheel will no doubt turn and with the Lightning owning the league’s 2nd highest high-danger creation rate this season as well, (conversion’s another matter where they rank bottom of the league in 32nd), but all those great chances Tampa are creating will go in at some point and with the Lightning going a red-hot 93-28 in their last 121 games after scoring 2 or fewer goals in their last matchup, look for that bounceback to likely happen tonight.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline -110
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Puck Time | NHL Betting Preview for October 20
Join Andrew McInnis and Carmine Bianco for Friday’s edition of Puck Time as our panel of professional hockey handicappers break down tonight’s NHL betting card. Of the three games on the schedule tonight there is one undefeated team, but can the Red Wings keep that streak going at Chicago? Join the Puck Time crew every week day at 11am ET / 8am PT as we discuss the NHL betting slate from a variety of handicapping angles.
NHL Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the moneylines, pucklines, totals and betting percentages for all of this week’s NHL action, including this Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
‘The sharpest sports mind in Ireland’ is how one prominent newspaper dubbed Kevin Dolan after he became the first foreigner ever to win the World Series of Handicapping tournament back in 2015. “The Irishman” made his start wagering on GAA, football, soccer and boxing, all to immense success.
Since becoming a professional bettor, he has since lit up the sports betting scene in the U.S. and abroad, winning two handicapping awards and writing a best-selling book on sports handicapping named ‘The Complete Guide to Sports Betting’.
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