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Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning Preview & Picks – Back Tampa In Game 1 Of NHL Playoffs

leigh-copson
22 Apr 2025
leigh-copson
Leigh Copson 22 Apr 2025
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  • Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning picks for Tuesday, April 22
  • NHL Playoff game is taking place at Amalie Arena
  • Preview, predictions, stats & form
(Getty Images)
    Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning Preview & Picks
  • Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning Preview & Picks
  • Head To Head
  • Florida Panthers Form
  • Tampa Bay Lightning Form

Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning Preview & Picks

Tampa Bay are tipped to win the opening game of this series.

The Lightning put together a strong home record as they made it to the playoffs, while Florida arrive on a rough run of form on the road.

  • Tampa Bay Lighting are 29-12 at home this season
  • Florida Panthers are 2-9 in their last 11 road games
  • Only 1 of the previous 11 meetings have gone to overtime
  • The Under has cashed in 2 of the previous 3 games

Head To Head

  • Florida Panthers lead the all-time series 85-62-29
  • Tampa Bay Lightning won 5-1 when the two teams last met on April 15

Florida Panthers Form

Florida earned their place in the playoffs by finishing third in the Atlantic Division with a 47-31-4 record.

The Panthers dropped a bunch of games late on though, as they were beaten in seven of their final 10 games.

They ended March with a 4-2 defeat to Montreal, and then began April with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens, a 3-2 defeat to Toronto, a 3-0 loss to Ottawa and a 2-1 defeat to Detroit.

Florida avoided a sixth straight loss as they beat Toronto 3-1, and they backed that up with a 4-1 victory over Detroit and a 3-2 shootout success against Buffalo.

The Panthers failed to maintain that run though, as they closed out the regular season losing 5-3 to the New York Rangers and 5-1 at Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Lightning Form

Tampa Bay secured their postseason berth by finishing second in the Atlantic Division with a 47-27-8 record.

The Lightning finished the regular season on an underwhelming run of form though, as they lost five of their final eight games.

They saw a four-game streak end with a 2-1 loss in Ottawa, and they then fell to a 3-2 shootout defeat at the hands of Buffalo.

Tampa Bay rallied to beat the New York Rangers 5-1, only to immediately return to losing ways as they were beaten 4-3 in overtime by both Toronto and Detroit.

The Lightning responded by beating Buffalo 7-4 and Florida 5-1, but closed out the regular season with a 4-0 loss to the Rangers.

Verdict

Tampa Bay were dominant in Game 1, continuing their good form on the home ice.

That result also continued Florida’s rough recent road form, so we are backing the Lightning to come out on top again.

Best Bet1: Tampa Bay Win Moneyline @-116.28 at Stake.us - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Under 5.5 Total Goals @-116.28 at Stake.us - 2 Units
Tampa Bay Win
Moneyline
@-116.28 - 4 Units
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Bet at Stake.us
Under 5.5
Total Goals
@-116.28 - 2 Units
55 Stake Cash no deposit & 550,000 Gold Coins & 5% Rakeback
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes WA, NY, NV, ID, KY, MI, VT, NJ, DE, WV, PA, RI & MD.

Bet at Stake.us