Lightning vs Panthers Odds, Lines, and How to Watch

• The Tampa Bay Lightning are -150 road favorites as they face the Florida Panthers (+125 home underdogs) on Saturday, February 13th, 2021
• Florida had lost nine of the previous ten matchups versus Tampa Bay
• Florida has started the season 8-1-2, including a 5-2 win vs Tampa Bay on Thursday night

When it comes to playing the Panthers, Tampa Bay had written the book on how to defeat Florida. Whether Florida pushed the pace or not, little mattered. That is because Tampa Bay had the weapons at even strength to thwart the Panthers at every turn.

Overall, Tampa Bay had won nine of the previous ten meetings while scoring three or more goals in eight of those contests. Florida was held to two goals or less in five games during that span.

No wonder Tampa Bay is the -148 favorite in the Lightning vs Panthers odds. The puck drop Saturday, February 13th, 2021 is at 7 PM EST. The game is being carried by FS-FL and SUN. This is the second game of this miniseries between the two teams.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers Odds

Odds taken Feb. 12th at PointsBet

Hot Huberdeau

The Panthers are riding an early hot stretch of Jonathan Huberdeau who now has 11 points in his previous seven contests. Huberdeau has seamlessly been double shifted and can play well on both lines in Florida’s top-six.

With his assist tonight, Jonathan Huberdeau’s 15 points (4-11-15 in 11 GP) matches Scott Mellanby (8-7-15 in 11 GP) in 1995-96 for the most points through the #FlaPanthers first 11 games of a season. pic.twitter.com/cwwDlTZPR8

— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) February 12, 2021

After two games where the Florida winger went pointless, Huberdeau has bounced back with three assists and six scoring chances. That includes four scoring chances on Thursday night versus Tampa Bay.

Need More Johnson

While Huberdeau has been performing consistently above average all season, Tyler Johnson has not been playing well as Tampa Bay has tried to overcome the loss of Nikita Kucherov.

It’s been four games since Johnson even tallied a point. He’s contributed just four shots on net through those four games.

Anthony Cirelli (@acirelli22) is not concerned about tough angles. pic.twitter.com/T0aV49zXfc

— NHL (@NHL) February 9, 2021

Tampa Bay was hoping Johnson would be able to elevate his play but it has turned out others have stepped up like Anthony Cirelli and Ondrej Palat. However, Johnson’s goals like the one above have been few and far between.

Injury Plagued Lightning

Tampa Bay forwards Steven Stamkos, and Anthony Cirelli may not play on Saturday night. Stamkos is out with a lower-body injury, while Cirelli has an arm issue.

Florida defenseman Gustav Forsling, out since January 27th with an upper-body ailment, has resumed skating. Anthony Duclair (illness) missed Thursday night’s game and is still questionable for Saturday.

Anthony Cirelli left the 3rd period early due to an apparent arm injury. Coach Jon Cooper said that he will be evaluated after the game but "it didn't look great coming off the ice."

— HannaHill_Reports (@HannaHillhockey) February 12, 2021

The Lightning remain hopeful that the Stamkos and Cirelli injuries are not serious, but they will be further evaluated before Saturday night’s game. As of press time, it appears neither will play.

Panthers Stay Hot

The Panthers have been rolling along all season to an 8-1-2 mark. While they have not outscored opponents like the Tampa Bay Lightning have, Florida does keep winning.

The Lightning had previously won nine out of the last ten matchups — several without Steven Stamkos, who’s a contender for the Hart Trophy. However, Florida may be a different team this year, especially at home. The Panthers are 5-1-1 at Sunrise Arena.

Now Florida will go on the power play as Sergachev sits. Panthers tied with Washington for the top power play in the NHL so far this season. #Bolts #TBLvsFLA

— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) February 12, 2021

The Panthers have seen their goals against go down from well over three a game last season to just 2.64 goals per game in 2021. That ranks 9th in the league. Their offense ranks a respectable 12th in the league, scoring 3.27 goals per contest.

Florida’s power play is clicking at 36.7%, compared to 27.9% for the Lightning.

Pick: Florida Panthers (+120)