The National Hockey League has to be smiling about the second-round playoff matchups. And one of the most important from a grow the game perspective is in the Sunshine State. For the second straight year, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last year Tampa Bay won the series en route to its second straight Stanley Cup championship. This year’s series has the Panthers as an opening favorite. Florida won the Presidents’ Trophy as the best team in the regular season. The betting public is quite familiar with the Lightning as the Stanley Cup champion.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will face the Florida Panthers in the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This series will run from May 17 through May 29, 2022.
NHL Betting Lines at BookMaker.eu
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Series Schedule
Game 1: Lightning at Panthers, Tuesday, May 17, 7:00 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 2: Lightning at Panthers, Thursday, May 19, 7:00 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 3: Panthers at Lightning, Sunday, May 22, 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 4: Panthers at Lightning, Monday, May 23, 7:00 p.m. ET (TNT)
Game 5: Lightning at Panthers, Wednesday, May 25, TBD (If Necessary)
Game 6: Panthers at Lightning, Friday, May 27, TBD (If Necessary)
Game 7: Lightning at Panthers, Sunday, May 29, TBD (If Necessary)
Odds Analysis
The opening series price has the Florida Panthers as a -150 favorite, with the Tampa Bay Lightning a +130 dog.
Since 2015 the Tampa Bay Lightning have made the Stanley Cup Final three times. Thus, the Lightning has earned considerable credibility with the NHL betting community. When sharps see a proven champion as the underdog, it is hard to resist the potential wagering value.
Once upon a time, the Florida Panthers were a team that operated anonymously. But with methodical building, the Panthers have finally turned the corner. Consider that Florida is favored over the 2-time defending Stanley Cup champions. Florida is popular for its exciting style of play that comes with the profits.
Florida Panthers
Florida is coming off a 4-2 first round series win over the Washington Capitals. Florida clinched game six with a 4-3 overtime thriller at Washington. However, the series was likely won in game five. Florida rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win the game 5-3. Most important of all, the Panthers showed playoff resiliency. Despite not having much postseason experience, Florida showed its staying power in the series.
So far, Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has a .906 save percentage in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While sometimes inconsistent, Bobrovsky has been on point when it matters most for the Panthers.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning came back from a 3-2 series deficit to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the first round. In game seven at Toronto, the Lightning earned an impressive 2-1 playoff betting win. Specifically, Tampa Bay showed the grit of a proven champion in that seventh game. Players sacrificed all night, blocking shots and taking away numerous Toronto opportunities.
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy rates as the best goaltender in hockey. Vasilevskiy has a subpar .897 save percentage in the playoffs. But in game seven at Toronto, Vasilevskiy stopped 30 out of 31 shots. Vasilevskiy demonstrated he is at his very best with the season on the line.
Tampa Bay vs. Florida Prediction
Consider that the two-time defending champion Lightning is available in this series at plus-money. The difference between these teams is on the blue line and in goal. Tampa Bay has the NHL betting odds advantage in those areas. Florida has the NHL’s top offense, but the Lightning has what it takes to slam the door shut.
BookMaker Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
