Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/23/24
The Lightning and Panthers are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Panthers will host the game at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL. The over/under for this Atlantic division contest is set at 6.5 goals, with the Panthers being favored by -1.5 at home against the Lightning.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS FLORIDA PANTHERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Florida Panthers -1.5
This game will be played at Amerant Bank Arena at 7:00 ET on Monday, December 23rd.
WHY BET THE FLORIDA PANTHERS:
- With the Panthers being favored by 1.5, our NHL analytics models has this one playing out 4-3 in favor of the Panthers.
- Take the Panthers on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Lightning (+1.5)
Do the Lightning Have What it Takes in Sunrise?
Tampa Bay fell to 18-11-2 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning initially led 2-0, but their defense faltered, allowing seven unanswered goals. Tampa Bay was the underdog on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.
Four different players scored for the Lightning in this one. They held a 2-0 lead in the first period but couldn’t hold on. The game was tied 4-4 in the third before the Jets pulled away with three straight goals.
Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for the Lightning with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point followed with his 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov found the net for the 10th time this season.
The Lightning took 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. They finished with 4 assists in the 7-4 loss to Winnipeg.
Defensively, the Lightning will need to regroup after allowing 7 goals to the Jets. Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with a save percentage of 84.4%. Tampa Bay’s defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 16 hits. The Lightning were tied 4-4 in the 3rd period, but their defense gave up a goal at the 7:38 mark and two more late in the period, both empty-netters.
Can the Panthers Grab a Win at Home?
Florida improved to 22-11-2 with a 4-2 road win over the Stars. The Panthers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals went under, with the teams combining for 6.
Four different players scored for the Panthers, with A.J. Greer breaking a 2-2 tie at 2:32 in the third period. Sam Reinhart added an empty-net goal to secure the win.
Carolina’s offense took 25 shots on goal in their 4-2 win over Dallas. A.J. Greer scored his first goal of the season in the third period, while Sam Reinhart added his 10th with an empty-netter. The Panthers had 16 giveaways and scored once on the power play.
Carolina’s scoring was spread out, with four different players finding the net. They opened the scoring with Evan Rodrigues’ third goal of the season in the first period. Matthew Tkachuk added his third goal in the second period.
Spencer Knight made 23 saves with a 92% save percentage, helping the Panthers secure a 4-2 victory over the Stars. Defensively, Florida recorded 8 takeaways and 22 hits. After allowing two goals in the second period, the Panthers’ defense held firm in the third, not giving up another goal.