Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 12/27/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (+170) Lightning (-210)

The Florida Panthers (19-12-2) are hitting the road to Amalie Arena on Wednesday where they will compete against the Tampa Bay Lightning (17-13-5). The line on this contest has Florida at +170 and Tampa Bay is priced at -210. The total comes in at 7.

The Florida Panthers were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-2 victory over the Golden Knights in their previous game. The Panthers played really well in this win. For the game, they were able to notch a goal on 4 of the 42 shots they tried. Furthermore, they had 6 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to score 2 goals. Florida accrued 41 penalty mins in this contest.

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Florida Panthers opponents have tallied 105 power play tries (16th in professional hockey) and have notched 18 goals in those attempts. The Panthers so far have had 893 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .904. Florida has taken 1,131 shots and has a shooting percentage of 8.5%. While at even strength, the Panthers have allowed 68 goals while notching 76 when they are on offense. Florida steps onto the ice with 106 power play opportunities and they have scored 20 goals out of those chances, giving them a percentage of 18.87%. For the season, they have 40 points and their points percentage is sitting at .606. When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Florida Panthers have tallied 96 goals (25th in hockey) over the course of the season and have allowed 86.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky has played in 667 contests throughout his hockey career. He has amassed an overall record of 375-216-52 and he started in 651 games. Opponents have notched 1,664 goals versus Bobrovsky in his career and his goals against rate is 2.60. Bobrovsky has had 19,510 shots against him and has accrued 17,846 total saves. His save percentage is .915 during his 38,376 minutes on the ice. Throughout his time in hockey, Bobrovsky has accounted for 372 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .571.

In their last outing, Tampa Bay faced the Capitals in an outing where the Lightning got the tie by a final of 1-1. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this matchup but didn't score a goal. The Lightning converted 1 goal of the 20 shots on goal they attempted.

The Lightning have accumulated 83 goals at even strength and 34 goals (1st in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. Tampa Bay has put up 1,063 shots (7th in the NHL) and has a shooting percentage of 11.01%, while allowing their opponents 1,090 shots. This season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a total of 117 goals, 39 points, as well as a points percentage of .557. They have granted a total of 120 goals to be scored by of a combination of 99 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 112 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 30.36%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 79.61% on their oppositions 103 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 89.0%.

Across the rink you are expected to see Andrei Vasilevskiy defending the goal. Vasilevskiy holds a career mark of 271-128-28 and has participated in 438 games. Vasilevskiy's rate of quality starts sits at 57.0% and he has qualified for 244 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. He has recorded 12,207 stops out of the 13,293 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .918. Opponents are averaging 2.53 goals per game and he has allowed 1,086 goals in total. He has been a starter 428 contests and has played for a total of 25,747 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Florida (+170)

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