The defending champion Florida Panthers look to take a commanding lead in their playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
Game 2 shifts to Tampa, where the Lightning have been nearly unbeatable this season with a stellar 29-8-4 home record. But they’re already trailing after dropping the opener to their cross-state rivals.
This matchup features two of hockey’s recent powerhouses. The Lightning dominated from 2020-2022 with two Stanley Cups and three finals appearances, while the Panthers are fresh off their first championship in franchise history.
The oddsmakers still like Tampa Bay’s chances at home. They’re listed as -126 favorites, while Florida comes in as +106 underdogs.
Nikita Kucherov will be key for the Lightning’s hopes of evening the series. The NHL’s points leader has put up incredible numbers this season – 121 points including 84 assists. But he’s been quieter lately against top competition, scoring under 1.5 points in his last five games versus winning teams.
The Panthers are getting a boost from veteran Brad Marchand, who’s averaging 2.73 shots per game in his first season with Florida. He’s been particularly aggressive lately, topping 1.5 shots in four of his last six games against strong opponents.
Carter Verhaeghe has also been firing the puck consistently for Florida. He’s averaging 3 shots per game over his last 10 matches, regularly exceeding his 2.5 shot projection.
The total for Thursday’s game is set at 5.5 goals.
For bettors looking to combine these trends, a parlay of Kucherov under 1.5 points, Marchand over 1.5 shots, and Verhaeghe over 2.5 shots would pay out at +471.
The winner of this game could set the tone for the rest of what’s shaping up to be an intense Florida playoff showdown.
