We are back in Tampa for Game 5 of this Sunshine State series as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Florida Panthers tonight. Things looked grim for the Lightning after dropping the first two games at home, falling down 2-0 immediately. Plus, they had to go on the road for the next two, as a sweep loomed over the horizon.
However, Tampa Bay put on a show in Game 3 as they battled on the road to a dominating 5-1 victory. Despite being outshot 34-22, the Lightning beat Sergei Bobrovsky and found the back of the net enough to seal a win. It looked as if they were going to steal two on the road themselves through 55 minutes of play in Game 4. Then disaster struck the Bolts.
The Lightning fell behind 1-0 in the 2nd, but found themselves leading 2-1 by the end of the period. They carried that lead all the way until there were less than four minutes on the clock when Aaron Eklbad found the goal to even things up. It got even worse just 11 seconds later, as Seth Jones scored the go-ahead goal with three and a half minutes left in the game. Eventually, Carter Verhaeghe found the empty net to really seal the deal. Back at home, can Tampa Bay keep their season alive and force Game 6?
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Game 5
Brayden Point and the Lightning need a win to extend their season
Matchup Information – Panthers vs Lightning
- Venue & Location: Amalie Arena (Tampa, FL)
- Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
- Puck Drop: 7:30pm Eastern
- Broadcast: ESPN2
Betting Odds
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Puck Line
- Panthers +1.5 (-270)
- Lightning -1.5 (+222)
Money Line
- Panthers -102
- Lightning -110
Total
- Over 5.5 (-112)
- Under 5.5 (-104)
The Lightning were less than four minutes away from tying this series. Instead, their backs are against the wall at home in this elimination matchup. Aaron Ekblad will miss this matchup for the Panthers, and the Lightning have lost Brandon Hagel. However, we still have two of the best playoff goaltenders in all of hockey, and tonight I think they both have a rock solid game.
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Best Bets
Sergei Bobrovsky is a brick wall between the posts
Panthers vs Lightning Prediction: Panthers Win, Under 5.5
Best Bets: Under 5.5 (-104) BetOnline
It’s always a little scary backing the under in a Panthers’ game, but we’ve already seen one stay way under in Tampa, plus last game was clearly on it’s way to staying under before Florida lit it up in the 3rd period. I don’t see that happening again, and with elimination hanging over their heads, I see the Lightning being incredibly defensive.
Even when they lost, the Panthers mustered 34 shots on goal. This is a fearless offense that isn’t afraid to let things rip from anywhere and everywhere, whenever they feel they have a shot. With Andrei Vasilevskiy and Bobrvosky between the posts, the under always has a chance. Each of these tenders has already had an off night in this series, and now I think both are primed and ready to be a brick wall in Game 5.
I lean with the Panthers to seal the deal tonight, but ultimately I think we see a low scoring contest.
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