Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 04/22/25

The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers were on the short end of a 5-1 score in the final regular-season meeting. Now, these teams play for much higher stakes in Game 1 of their Sunshine State rivalry in the first round of the playoffs at Amalie Arena in Tampa. The Lightning finished in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division, seizing home-ice advantage for this series, but is just 4-4 in the past 8 meetings, including 2-2 in the previous 4 playoff meetings, so don’t put a lot of stock into the location of the game. These 2 teams know each other well, and it doesn’t matter where the game is being played.

The key for this game will be the goaltending, as Andrei Vasilevskiy is healthy after 2023 back surgery. He managed to post a 2.18 GAA in 63 games, and he enters the playoffs on fire. In fact, his goalie point shares and quality starts were among the best in the NHL, too, and many feel he’d be Vezina strong if not for the season Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck just turned in. Add in the fact Nikita Kucherov is white-hot and providing plenty of offensive support, and it’s likely going to be an uphill climb for the Panthers in Game 1. Back the home side in Game 1, but expect a long series.

Panthers vs Lightning prediction: Lightning ML (-115) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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