The Lightning can sweep out their in-state rival Panthers in Game 4 of their second-round series Monday night in Tampa.
Here’s a look at game and player props to consider.
All NHL playoff odds are current as of Monday, May 23, at 10 a.m. ET and courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 4 Props
Both Teams to Score 1+ Goals in 1st Period (+165)
Wager: 1 Unit
The Panthers have scored in the first period in two of the three games in this series, as have the Lightning. We expect Tampa Bay to finish off the sweep Monday, but that doesn’t mean Florida won’t score early.
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Panthers to Score the First Goal in the First Period (+130)
WAGER: 1 Unit
If you read our predictions page, you know we think Florida will score the game’s first goal Monday. If you believe, as I do, that both teams will score in the first then you should think that goal will come in the first period.
Hence, taking advantage of this prop.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 4 Player Props
Steven Stamkos Anytime Goal Scorer (+145)
Wager: 1 Unit
Steven Stamkos has had a whale of a series, scoring twice and adding two assists and an uncalculatable amount of leadership through three games. We have to think he’ll score again Monday to cap the series sweep.
Ondrej Palat, Lightning: OVER 0.5 Points (-120)
Wager: 1 Unit
Ondrej Palat had an assist in Game 3, as we predicted, and again is one of the most noticeable players on the ice for Tampa Bay whenever he’s out there. He should be able to post another point in Game 4 and cash in for bettors.
PREVIOUSLY: Lightning vs. Panthers Props
The Lightning took a 2-0 series edge against the in-state rival Panthers for the second straight year and will look to send the Presidents’ Trophy champs to the verge of elimination in Game 3 at Amalie Arena on Sunday.
Here’s a look at prop bets to consider in Game 3.
All NHL playoff odds are current as of Friday, May 20, at 11 a.m. ET and courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 3 Props
Both Teams to Score 1+ Goals in 3rd Period (+105)
Wager: 1 Unit
The first periods have been low scoring as each side feels each other out, and the odds for both teams to score in the first period are (+160).
I expect the Panthers to win and for it to be a pretty high-scoring game, so both teams should be able to score in the final period.
Race to 3 Goals: Panthers (+110)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Darryl Sutter famously said that the NHL is “a 3-2 league" and that is especially true come playoff time. The first team to two has won each of the past two games.
The first team to score three will likely win Sunday. I think Florida will win, which is why I think it’ll be the first team to three goals.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 3 Player Props
Sam Bennett, Panthers: OVER 0.5 Points (+100) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
Bennett doesn’t have a point in his past four playoff games, but if Florida is going to get back into this series it’ll need him to get engaged offensively and physically. Bennett had five points in five games in the Panthers’ loss to the Lightning last year, including a goal and an assist in their two wins last season.
The Panthers will need him to contribute if they’re going to win.
Ondrej Palat, Lightning: OVER 0.5 Points (-110) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
Palat has been one of Tampa Bay’s most noticeable players through two games, despite the fact that he has only one point in that span. The line of Palat, Nick Paul and Alex Killorn has chipped in offensively since star center Brayden Point went out in Game 7 of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Lightning will score Sunday. Palat will probably be able to get on the scoresheet with at least an assist.
PREVIOUSLY: Panthers vs Lightning Game 2 Props
The Panthers and Lightning renewed their Sunshine State rivalry in Game 1, with Tampa Bay stealing home-ice advantage with a 4-1 win.
Florida, the Presidents’ Trophy winner, lost each of its first two games in a six-game series loss to Tampa Bay a year ago, but will look to even the series on home ice Thursday.
The Lightning, who have won the past two Stanley Cup championships, are hoping to take a stranglehold on the series before Game 3 in Tampa.
Here’s a look at prop bets to consider in Game 2.
All NHL playoff odds are current as of Wednesday, May 18, at 11 a.m. ET and courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 2 Props
Race to 3 Goals: Panthers (-115)
WAGER: 1 Unit
Betting for Florida to come from behind is fun but risky given Tampa Bay’s ability to lock games down in the third period.
The Panthers will need to play from ahead — ideally by multiple goals — to win, which means they’ll need to be the first to score three goals in order to win Game 2.
Both Teams to Score 1+ Goals in 1st Period (+155)
WAGER: 1 Unit
The odds of this are really good, especially given the fact we expect Game 2 to be high scoring. I wrote in our Panthers vs Lightning Game 2 Prediction that I’d expect the score after 1 to be 2-1.
If that’s the case then this prop will hit.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 2 Player Props
Aleksander Barkov Over 0.5 Power-Play Points (+130)
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Panthers’ power play HAS to score at some point and might as well do it Thursday night. Chances are if the Panthers score with the man-advantage Barkov will be at the center of it.
Anthony Duclair Anytime Goal (+240)
WAGER: 0.5 Units
Duclair is officially hot after scoring his first goal of the playoffs and having his second waved off. Look for him to stay hot, especially given the fact he had three goals and four points in four regular-season games against the Lightning as well.
PREVIOUSLY: Panthers vs Lightning Game 1 Props
The Panthers and Lightning will renew their Sunshine State rivalry in the postseason for the second straight year.
It should be a wildly entertaining series that hopefully will go the distance. Game 1 will take place on Tuesday night in Sunrise.
Here’s a look at potential prop bets to target for Game 1.
All NHL playoff odds are current as of Monday, May 16, at 12 p.m. ET, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 1 Props
Race to 4 Goals: Panthers (+119)
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Panthers have been the Cardiac Cats all year, and that has translated into the playoffs where Florida rallied in the third period in Games 4, 5, and 6 against Washington.
Still, we expect the Panthers to win Game 1 relatively handily — given the likelihood of a Tampa Bay letdown after its emotional seven-game series win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. That means Florida should be the first to score four goals on Tuesday.
Considering the plus-money odds and the likelihood that the winning team will surpass four goals in each of these games, this seems very safe.
3-Way Result: Panthers (+100) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
There will be overtime in this series. There will be epic, come-from-behind wins undoubtedly.
But for Game 1, take the Panthers to win in regulation, especially given the friendly even-money odds.
Panthers vs Lightning Game 1 Player Props
Carter Verhaeghe Anytime Goalscorer (+170) at BetMGM
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Verhaeghe magic will wear off at some point, but the top-line left wing’s magical first-round, where he posted six goals and 12 points including nine in the final three games against the Caps, should carry against the Lightning, with whom he broke into the NHL in 2019.
Jonathan Huberdeau OVER 1.5 Points (+130) at BetMGM
WAGER: 1 Unit
Huberdeau had a quiet first-round series with just three points in six games, but the Lightning tend to bring out the best in Florida’s leading scorer.
He had seven points in four games against the Lightning during the regular season, and 10 points in their six-game series a year ago. Given the likelihood of a Lightning letdown, we think a breakout performance from Huberdeau in Game 1 is likely.
