Lightning vs Panthers Series Odds, Preview & Predictions

• The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers faceoff in Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs
• Florida is -164 favorites in the Lightning vs Panthers series odds
• Read below for Lightning vs Panthers series odds, preview & prediction

The Battle of Florida will be played in the NHL postseason for the second straight year. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers clash in Round 2 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Florida is listed as -152 favorites in the Lightning vs Panthers series odds. The Bolts eliminated the Cats in six games last season and are available as +125 underdogs in this year’s series.

Let’s analyze the Lightning vs Panthers odds, preview the series and offer you our official prediction.

Lightning vs Panthers Series Odds

Odds as of May 15th at Barstool Sportsbook.

Florida’s -152 moneyline price means they have 60% implied probability to win the series. Tampa Bay’s +125 underdog price gives them a 44% implied chance of advancing.

Considering Florida is favored to win the series, it should come as no surprise that they also have better Stanley Cup odds. Florida is available at +380 to win the Stanley Cup, while Tampa Bay is priced at +650.

Florida Favored in Lightning vs Panthers Odds

The Florida Panthers are favored to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 2 of the NHL Playoffs. Not only are the Cats heavy favorites in Round 2, but they’re also favored to make the Cup Final in the updated Eastern Conference odds.

Florida defeated Washington in six games during Round 1 of the playoffs. Forward Carter Verhaeghe exploded for 12 points against the Capitals to help the Panthers win their first postseason series since 1996.

CARTER VERHAEGHE WINS IT FOR FLORIDA IN OT AND THE PANTHERS WIN THE SERIES 🤩 pic.twitter.com/OYGDs699so

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 14, 2022

The Lightning, meanwhile, required seven games to get past the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round. Forward Nikita Kucherov led the way with eight points, while Andrei Vasilevskiy shut the door in Game 7 with 30 saves.

Florida was priced as heavy -335 favorites in their Round 1 series versus Washington, while the Bolts cashed as +110 moneyline underdogs in their opening round series vs Toronto.

Tampa Bay vs Florida Matchup Analysis

The Lightning vs Panthers series is a matchup between two of the highest-scoring teams during the regular season. The Cats won the Presidents’ Trophy with 122 points, while the Bolts finished third in the Atlantic with 110 points.

Florida’s home-ice advantage in Round 2 is one of the reasons they’re being given the edge over Tampa Bay in the NHL odds. Oddsmakers also know Tampa Bay goalie Vasilevskiy didn’t look like his usual self in Round 1 despite an outstanding Game 7 showing.

Lightning vs Panthers Playoff Stats

The Panthers were the better five-on-five team in Round 1, but the Bolts excelled on specials teams. Florida somehow went 0-for-17 on the power play versus Washington, which could be an issue facing this elite Bolts’ penalty kill.

Lightning vs Panthers Betting Trends

Florida and Tampa Bay meet in Round 2 of the postseason after the two clubs split four meetings during the regular season. When these two teams met in Round 1 of the 2021 Playoffs, the Bolts prevailed in six games.

We meet again. 😼#TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/yrFSXFcC3d

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 15, 2022

Florida’s outstanding play on home ice is one of the key betting trends to note in the Lightning vs Panthers series odds. Andrew Brunette’s team went 34-7-0 At FLA Live Arena during the regular season and won two of three home games in Round 1 of the playoffs.

Tampa Bay’s resilience in the NHL postseason is something to note when wagering on the NHL odds. Not only have the Bolts not lost a playoff series since 2019, but Jon Cooper’s team is 17-0 in their last 17 playoff games following a loss.

Lightning vs Panthers Series Pick & Prediction

Lightning vs Panthers looks to be a fairly evenly matched second-round playoff series. The Cats have one of the most prolific offenses in NHL history, but they’re going up against a goalie who has won nine straight playoff series and owns a career .922 postseason save percentage.

Lightning Andrei Vasilevskiy in potential series-clinching games since 2020

Record 9-4
GAA 1.29
Save % .950
Shutouts 5#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/5fn5GVw5hv

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 15, 2022

Several issues that cost the Panthers in the 2021 Playoffs could resurface this time around. Florida lost the specials teams battle to Tampa last year and were outplayed in net. Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled against the Bolts in his career, posting a .882 save percentage in 24 starts.

Florida has an eye-popping offense, but the Bolts have the more complete roster with a better defense. In a series featuring plenty of firepower on both sides, Vasilevskiy is likely going to be the difference once again.

Florida needed six games to win a Round 1 series they were heavily favored in and don’t have a goalie that can bail them out like Vasilevskiy. Take advantage of the the Bolts’ underdog series price in the Battle of Florida odds.

Pick: Lightning Moneyline (+125)