Florida Panthers Vs Tampa Bay Lightning Expert NHL Pick

Posted by Henry Watkins on Friday,March 25, 2016 1:33, EDT in

It’s always fun when you reach this late stage of the NHL season and there are still a bunch of different races taking place all over the league. We have some really good ones going on right now, and one of the best can be found in the Atlantic Division. The Florida Panthers, led by the seemingly ageless Jaromir Jagr, have been one of the surprises of the season, and they can cap off what has been an improbably good season by winning the division crown. In order for that to happen, though, they are going to have to hold off the Tampa Bay Lightning, and possibly even the Boston Bruins, who are still somewhat within reach. It is the Panthers who hold a slight edge at the top right now, but things could get closer still if the Lightning can come away with the win when these two hook up in Tampa in Saturday night. This may well be the best game on the schedule this weekend, so be sure to get your wagers in at MyBookie.ag online sportsbook before the puck drops.

Florida Panthers Vs Tampa Bay Lightning Expert NHL Pick

When: Saturday, March 26 at 7 PM EST
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
TV: FSFL and SUN
Radio: TuneIn Radio
Live Stream: NHL Stream
NHL Odds: TBA

Why bet on the Florida Panthers

The Panthers (41-24-9) certainly helped their cause by knocking off the Boston Bruins 4-1 on Thursday night. While Boston are still relatively close, that win may have turned this division into a 2-horse race.

Oddly enough, all the talk at the start of this season was about the Panthers and the possibility of them making a move to Quebec City. They needed a good season, as well as some real support from the locals, to put that move on ice, and they have delivered in the biggest way possible. There are times when the Panthers have appeared to win using smoke and mirrors, but make no mistake about it, this is a team deserving of their lofty perch. Florida have taken 3 of 4 from the Lightning so far this season, and 1 more win could go a long way towards the clinching of the division. The Panthers are averaging 2.8 GPG, and are giving up 2.4 GPG.

Why bet on the Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning (42-26-5) appear to have broken out of a rather bumpy patch with back to back wins, but they have a tough test ahead of them this weekend. They will have to face the New York Islanders, who are fighting for their playoff life, on Friday, and then follow that up with perhaps their biggest game of the season on Saturday. A win against the Islanders would have the Lightning and Panthers tied at the top, but you have to wonder how much energy they are going to have to expend on Friday in order to make that happen. The Lightning are 22-11-3 on home ice, and may well be a slight favorite for this one because of that. They are averaging 2.7 GPG, and are giving up 2.3 GPG.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I always thought it would be the Lightning who would end up winning this division, but you have to give full credit to the Panthers for keeping it close. I like Tampa to get the win here, but would not be surprised to see Florida get something out of it via the OT or SO route.

Florida Panthers 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 3