Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Game Preview, Predictions, Odds and Betting Tips for 2024 NHL playoffs Game 4 | April 27th, 2024

The Florida Panthers are leading the series 3-0 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL Playoffs East 1st Round. They are scheduled to play Game 4 at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET, with broadcasts on TBS, truTV, MAX, SN, TVAS, BSSUN, and BSFL.

This game could mark the Panthers' first postseason series victory over the Lightning. The Panthers have previously been defeated by the Lightning in the second round in 2022 and in the first round in 2021.

A win in Game 4 would result in the Panthers' second series sweep in their 30-year history and their second in the last three series.

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Game preview

The Florida Panthers, with a 52-24-6 overall record and a 20-5-4 record against the Atlantic Division, are 50-8-2 when they score three or more goals.

In the current playoff series, they are averaging 3.67 goals per game, while allowing an average of 2.33 goals per game. Their power play success rate stands at 28.6%.

Matthew Tkachuk is the team leader, with 3 goals and 2 assists for a total of 5 points. Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe each have 2 goals and 3 assists, totaling 5 points.

Sam Bennett, Steven Lorentz, and Vladimir Tarasenko have each scored one goal. Sergei Bobrovsky, with a 3-0-0 record, a GAA of 2.30, and an SV% of .901, is expected to be the starting goalie again.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning, with an overall record of 45-29-8 and a 12-11-6 record against the Atlantic Division, lead the Eastern Conference with 71 power-play goals.

In the ongoing playoff series, they average 2.33 goals per game and allow an average of 3.67 goals per game. Their power play has a success rate of 16.7%.

Steven Stamkos is leading the team with 3 goals and an assist, totalling 4 points. Nicholas Paul, Brayden Point, and Tyler Motte have each scored one goal.

Andrei Vasilevskiy, with a 0-3-0 record, a GAA of 3.01, and an SV% of .904, is expected to be the starting goalie again after allowing 9 goals on 94 shots.

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Injury report

For the Lightning, Hayden Fleury is dealing with an upper body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Jonas Johansson and Mikhail Sergachev are out due to lower body injuries.

On the Panthers' side, Sam Bennett is also day-to-day due to an upper body injury, and Ryan Lomberg is dealing with an illness and is listed as day-to-day.

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Head-to-head and significant numbers

Tampa Bay has an all-time playoff record of 8-5-0 when playing against the Panthers.

In terms of faceoffs, the Panthers have a higher success rate with a win percentage of 51.7% as opposed to the Lightning's 48.3%.

In penalty kills, the Panthers have a higher success rate of 83.3%, compared to the Lightning's 71.4%.

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Odds and prediction

Florida, having won 48 out of its 68 games, is favored by the odds and has a 55.2% probability of winning tonight's game. The team has a record of winning 43 out of 63 games when the odds were less than -123.

On the other hand, the Lightning have won 12 out of 31 games where they were considered the underdogs. When the odds were +103 or more against them, their record is 10-24. Tampa Bay have a 49.3% chance of winning tonight's game.

Prediction: Panthers 5 - 3 Lightning

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Betting tips

Tip 1: Panthers to win.

Tip 2: Total goals over 4.5: Yes.

Tip 3: Matthew Tkachuk to score anytime: Yes.

Tip 4: Sam Reinhart to score first: Yes.

Tip 5: Lightning to beat the spread: No.