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Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Preview & Picks – Panthers To Close In On NHL Playoffs Sweep

leigh-copson
4 hours ago
leigh-copson
Leigh Copson 4 hours ago
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  • Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers picks for Saturday, April 26
  • NHL Playoff game is taking place at Amerant Bank Arena
  • Preview, predictions, stats & form
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    Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Preview & Picks
  • Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Preview & Picks
  • Head To Head
  • Tampa Bay Lightning Form
  • Florida Panthers Form

Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Preview & Picks

Florida are tipped to take a big step towards the next round of the playoffs.

The Panthers are in a commanding position, and after seeing them win back-to-back games on the road, we have to like their chances of delivering on the home ice.

  • Florida Panthers are 14-3 in their last 17 home games
  • Florida Panthers are 8-3 in the previous 11 meetings
  • Only 1 of the previous 13 meetings have gone to overtime
  • The Under has cashed in 3 of the previous 5 meetings

Head To Head

  • Florida Panthers lead the all-time series 87-62-29
  • Florida Panthers won 2-0 when the two teams last met on April 24

Tampa Bay Lightning Form

Tampa Bay head out on the road in a desperate position, having started the series with back-to-back home defeats.

The Lighting got off to a terrible start in the postseason as they were beaten 6-2 by Florida in the series-opener.

That was followed by a 2-0 defeat in Game 2, meaning they must now win at least one of the next two road games to take the series back to Tampa for Game 5.

Tampa Bay claimed a playoff place by finishing second in the Atlantic Division standings with a 47-27-8 record.

The Lightning have now made the postseason in each of the last eight campaigns, but they have been eliminated in round one in each of the past two seasons.

Florida Panthers Form

Florida return home in firm control of this series, having won back-to-back games in Tampa.

The Panthers opened the playoffs on the road and made a dream start as they beat the Lightning 6-2.

They then followed that up and gave themselves a chance to clinch the series at home by winning 2-0 in Game 2.

Florida earned their place in the postseason by finishing third in the Atlantic Division standings with a 47-31-4 record.

In doing so they reached the playoffs for the fifth straight season, and they have made the Stanley Cup Finals in each of the last two campaigns, winning last year.

Verdict

Florida are in complete control of this series and we are struggling to see a way back for Tampa.

We expect the Panthers to take Game 3 and move within one win of the second round.

Best Bet1: Florida Win 3-Way Moneyline @115.00 at Stake.us - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Under 5.5 Total Goals @-105.26 at Stake.us - 2 Units
Florida Win
3-Way Moneyline
@115.00 - 4 Units
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Bet at Stake.us
Under 5.5
Total Goals
@-105.26 - 2 Units
55 Stake Cash no deposit & 550,000 Gold Coins & 5% Rakeback
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes WA, NY, NV, ID, KY, MI, VT, NJ, DE, WV, PA, RI.

Bet at Stake.us