The Florida Panthers are favored to advance past the first round over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2024 NHL Playoffs.
For the third time in four years, the Panthers (52-24-6 SU, 41-41 ATS) will meet the Lightning (45-29-8 SU, 40-42 ATS) in the iconic Battle of Florida.
Yup, the Sunshine State is about to get real stormy with this rivalry brewing.
Florida vs Tampa Bay Series Props
Florida vs Tampa Bay Current Season Betting Results
Florida vs Tampa Bay Playoff Betting History
Florida vs Tampa Bay Expert Pick & Analysis
Last 10 Meetings Betting Results
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florida vs tampa bay playoff series odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | -900 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +590 |
Odds as of April 25
Panthers Lead Series 2-0
Tampa Bay has been in the playoffs for six consecutive years, appearing in three Stanley Cup Finals and winning two of them. Despite the modern success, the Lightning have entered the last two postseasons as underdogs.
You don't have to think too hard about the last time Tampa Bay was an underdog of +145 or more. Last season, the Lightning entered at +150 against the Leafs and were eliminated after six games.
After clinching the Atlantic Division, oddsmakers are giving the Panthers a 62.96% win probability and getting playoff revenge on their inner-state enemy.
| Series Score | Odds |
|---|---|
| Panthers 4-0 | +270 |
| Panthers 4-1 | +210 |
| Panthers 4-2 | +410 |
| Panthers 4-3 | +570 |
| Lightning 4-3 | +920 |
| Lightning 4-2 | +1300 |
Odds as of April 25
Oddsmakers tie up the oddsboard favoring Florida in five or seven games.
The Lightning are pretty lethal when hosting the Panthers at Amalie Arena during the playoffs, holding a 4-0 spotless record. Perhaps the luck only strikes when Florida is in town because, aside from that, Tampa Bay is on a five-game postseason skid in their own barn that dates back to June 2022.
This regular season, the Lightning definitely showed signs of being homesick, looking shaky with a 20-18-3 road record.
florida vs tampa bay betting results
| Date | Home Team ML | Away Team ML | Final Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16th | Florida (-160) | Tampa Bay (+140) | 5-3 Lightning | 6 (O) |
| February 17th | Tampa Bay (+100) | Florida (-120) | 9-2 Panthers | 6.5 (O) |
| December 27th | Tampa Bay (+110) | Florida (-130) | 3-2 Panthers | 6.5 (U) |
The Lightning didn't enter a single regular season meeting as the favorites over the Panthers. Still, snagging that most recent 5-3 win helped deflate Florida's ego just a bit.
Notable Player Performances
Aleksander Barkov: A top defensive forward in the league, Barkov has been playing some of his best hockey with 80 points to close out the regular season. At 6-foot-3, he'll be tough to avoid on the ice. Watch out for his playmaking skills as Barkov owns a career-high 30 assists against Tampa Bay.
Andrei Vasilevskiy: He hasn't exactly been the wall we're used to seeing, recording a career-low .900SV%. The former first round pick has allowed a season-high 12 goals to Florida this year. Uh-oh.
Sergei Bobrovsky: On the other end of the ice, Bobrovsky is looking sturdier between the pipes. Flashback to last playoffs when the 35-year-old made a whopping 585 saves to collect a .915SV%. Playoff Bobrovsky is a true threat.
Sergei Bobrovsky has put up all-timer numbers in his last 11 playoff games:
— Nathan "Grav" (@NathanGraviteh) May 23, 2023
- 10-1-0 Record
- Saved 402/426 Shots
- .943SV%
- 1.86 GAA
- +18.67 Goals Saved Above Expected
ROCKSTAR STUFF. pic.twitter.com/WXKWTOPyuU
florida vs tampa bay Historical playoff betting trends
| Date | Home Team ML | Away Team ML | Final Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (Game 4) | Tampa Bay (-135) | Florida (+115) | 2-0 Lightning | 6 (U) |
| 2022 (Game 3) | Tampa Bay (-105) | Florida (-115) | 5-1 Lightning | 6.5 (U) |
| 2022 (Game 2) | Florida (-170) | Tampa Bay (+150) | 2-1 Lightning | 6.5 (U) |
| 2022 (Game 1) | Florida (-160) | Tampa Bay (+140) | 4-1 Lightning | 6.5 (U) |
| 2021 (Game 6) | Tampa Bay (-145) | Florida (+125) | 4-0 Lightning | 6 (U) |
| 2021 (Game 5) | Florida (-105) | Tampa Bay (-115) | 4-1 Panthers | 6 (U) |
| 2021 (Game 4) | Tampa Bay (-160) | Florida (+140) | 6-2 Lightning | 6 (O) |
| 2021 (Game 3) | Tampa Bay (-140) | Florida (+120) | 6-5 Panthers | 6 (O) |
| 2021 (Game 2) | Florida (-110) | Tampa Bay (-110) | 3-1 Lightning | 6 (U) |
| 2021 (Game 1) | Florida (+110) | Tampa Bay (-130) | 5-4 Lightning | 5.5 (O) |
It's a revenge game for the Panthers. In two of the last three seasons, the Lightning have been responsible for putting their playoff push to end end. The most recent series had Florida entering as modest -160 favorites, only to brushed away with a broomstick in a 4-0 sweep.
Though these two have maintained strong offense, the UNDER has cashed in six-straight meetings.
florida vs tampa bay playoff series expert pick: Panthers (-170), Panthers 4-2 (+430)
The problem has never been Florida's offense. On its trip to the finals last year, the Panthers were averaging 3.51 GPG -- which is on par to this season's 3.27 GPG. Instead, Florida had serious issues in the defensive department, allowing Vegas 26 goals in the five-game series of the SCF.
Well, that's all been sorted out now. The Panthers only cough up 2.44 GPG, basically sharing the seat for best in the league with Winnipeg.
The single issue Florida will run into is shutting down Tampa Bay's special teams. The Lightning's 28.81 PP% is crowned as the best, scoring 71 goals with an extra-man. Meanwhile, the Panthers are fiesty, drawing the second-most penalties in the NHL (415). So settle down, Tkachuk!
Lightning strikes back on the powerplay ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/tusPPhPbOY
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 6, 2023
florida vs tampa bay betting results last 10 meetings
| Date | Home Team ML | Away Team ML | Final Score | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 16th, 2024 | Florida (-160) | Tampa Bay (+140) | 5-3 Lightning | 6 (O) |
| Feb. 17th, 2024 | Tampa Bay (+100) | Florida (-120) | 9-2 Panthers | 6.5 (O) |
| Dec. 27th, 2023 | Tampa Bay (+110) | Florida (-130) | 3-2 Panthers | 6.5 (U) |
| Feb. 28th, 2023 | Tampa Bay (-165) | Florida (+145) | 4-1 Panthers | 6.5 (U) |
| Feb. 6th, 2023 | Florida (+100) | Tampa Bay (-120) | 7-1 Panthers | 6.5 (O) |
| Dec. 10th, 2022 | Tampa Bay (-145) | Florida (+125) | 4-1 Lightning | 6.5 (U) |
| Oct. 21st, 2022 | Florida (-115) | Tampa Bay (-105) | 3-2 Lightning | 6.5 (U) |
| Apr. 24th, 2022 | Florida (-125) | Tampa Bay (+105) | 8-4 Lightning | 6.5 (O) |
| Dec. 30th, 2021 | Florida (-160) | Tampa Bay (+140) | 9-3 Panthers | 6.5 (O) |
| Nov. 13th, 2021 | Tampa Bay (-115) | Florida (-105) | 3-2 Lightning | 5.5 (U) |
