Lightning vs. Panthers Series Odds and Prediction (Tampa Bay is the More Well-Rounded Team in this Series)

The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning clash in the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs and I wanted to take a look at the series for a while. These in-state and Atlantic Division rivals split their regular-season games 2-2 but Florida has home ice during the series. 

Lightning vs. Panthers Series Odds

As we prepare for Game 1, the odds for this series have been released at WynnBET Sportsbook. The Panthers at -160 are favored to beat their in-state rivals whose odds are at +130. Predictably, the Panthers are also favored in Game 1 with odds of -155.

Lightning vs. Panthers Series Prediction and Pick

While home ice is usually a pretty big deal, I think the proximity of these two areas will make a big difference. What I do expect to make a big difference is the various roster plaguing both teams.

The Panthers will be skating without Mason Marchment to start the series who is out with an injury. Florida also has a big question mark when it comes to Anthony Duclair. The latter, a huge part of this offense, was a healthy scratch from Game 6.

Despite having a career year, Duclair disappeared in the playoffs and was essentially benched for it. It will be interesting to see if and how the Panthers revive him and get him back on the ice to contribute.

Duclair is only averaging 12:05 of ice time so far in the playoffs with two assists and a single shot on goal. 

Meanwhile, The Lightning are keeping their fingers crossed that Brayden Point’s Game 7 injury isn’t that serious. He left the game with a leg injury early in the first period after trying to stop a puck along the boards.

He did attempt a return in the second but it was obvious that he wasn’t skating freely. Without Point, who scored the OT winner in Game 6, Tampa Bay will be down one of their biggest weapons. Point also has a lot of experience in the playoffs as the offensive leader in the Lightning's 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup wins. 

These two teams appear to be fairly well-matched with Florida’s offense going up against one of the best goalies in the playoffs. Not just these playoffs mind you, but the playoffs in general. 

Andrei Vasilevskiy has won nine straight playoff series and has a career .922 postseason save percentage. He stood on his head in two elimination games last week and kept his winning streak going. I think that Vasilevskiy’s success will determine this series more than any other individual factor.

As I believe this to be the case, I also have to believe that the Lightning will prevail in this series as underdogs. 

Pick: Lightning +130 to Win Series

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE.