Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers Picks and Predictions April 15th 2025

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers April 15th 2025

Planning on watching today’s Panthers and Lightning game? Catch the action at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL, as the Lightning hosts this showdown at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. This Atlantic division matchup has an over/under of 5.5 goals, and the Lightning are favored by -1.5 at home vs. the Panthers.

Florida vs. Tampa Bay Key Information

• Teams: Panthers at Lightning
• Where: Amalie Arena Tampa
• Date: Tuesday, April 15th
• Betting Odds TB -181 | FLA +153 O/U 5.5

The Panthers Can Win If…

Florida improved to 47-30-4 with a 4-2 road win over the Stars. The Panthers covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6.5 goals went under, as the teams combined for 6 goals.

Four different players scored for Florida, with A.J. Greer breaking a 2-2 tie at 2:32 in the third period. Sam Reinhart added an empty-net goal at 19:00 to seal the win.

In their recent matchup against the Stars, the Panthers found the net four times, with A.J. Greer scoring his first goal of the season. Sam Reinhart added his 10th goal on an empty net, following a 4-shot effort. Matthew Tkachuk scored his third goal, while Evan Rodrigues opened the scoring for the Panthers.

Carolina took 25 shots on goal and recorded one power-play goal, their second of the game. The Panthers had 16 giveaways and scored twice in the third period, with Greer’s goal breaking a 2-2 tie.

After giving up two goals in the second period, the Panthers’ defense shut down the Stars in the third, helping secure a 4-2 win. Spencer Knight made 23 saves with a 92% save percentage, while the defense added 8 takeaways and 22 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Panthers have gone 2-1 straight up. However, they have only gone 1-2 vs. the puck line over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 1-2.
• Florida has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Against the spread, Florida went 4-6 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-8.

The Lightning Can Win If…

Tampa Bay fell to 46-26-8 with a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning held a 2-0 lead early, but Winnipeg responded with seven of the game’s next nine goals. Tampa Bay entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Four different Lightning players found the net in the loss. Tampa Bay’s defense struggled, especially in the third period, where they gave up four goals, including two empty-netters.

Brandon Hagel got the Lightning on the board with his 7th goal of the season, followed by Brayden Point’s 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov netted his 10th in the 3rd period.

The Lightning took 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. All four of their goals came before the Jets’ two empty-netters in the final minutes.

Tampa Bay’s defense struggled late, allowing four goals in the 3rd period, including two empty-netters. Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage. The Lightning had 6 takeaways and 16 hits.

• Through their last three regular season contests, Tampa Bay has a record of 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 3-0 on the over-under.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Lightning have gone 6-4 straight up. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 6-4 to go along with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Lean

To those searching for a pure moneyline wager, the Lightning is the clear pick. Still, with a payout of -181, it’s worth thinking about including this bet in a parlay.

My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Panthers to cover. Even if the Lightning win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Panthers should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

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Lightning vs. Panthers: Regular-Season Finale Sets Stage for Playoff Showdown

The Tampa Bay Lightning head into their final home game tonight still in the hunt for the Atlantic Division title. With a record of 46-26-8 (100 points), they need to win out and hope the Toronto Maple Leafs stumble with two regulation losses in their final games.

Tampa Bay boosted their momentum with a 7-4 win over Buffalo on Sunday, highlighted by Nikita Kucherov’s three-point performance. Kucherov locked up his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy, now sitting at 119 points (36 goals, 83 assists).

Check how the Lightning stack up statistically on the NHL Team Page, and get updated lines for their playoff push on the NHL Odds Page.

Kucherov’s Art Ross Glory and More Milestones

Sunday wasn’t just about Kucherov’s dominance. Defenseman Emil Lilleberg scored his first NHL goal, becoming only the sixth Norwegian player to do so—joining the likes of Mats Zuccarello. The Lightning also celebrated their eighth 100-point season, a remarkable run of consistency.

Get the latest updates on milestone chasers and daily best bets at the NHL Picks Page.

Panthers Prioritize Rest with Playoffs Secured

Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers (47-30-4, 98 points) head to Tampa with little on the line. They’ve already clinched a playoff spot and are expected to rest top players. Backup goalie Vitek Vanecek is expected to start, giving Sergei Bobrovsky the night off.

Florida’s recent 5-3 loss to the Rangers was a missed opportunity, blowing a 3-1 lead and losing what could’ve been a high-stakes division battle. Still, Carter Verhaeghe scored in his third straight game, while Sam Reinhart lit the lamp twice.

Check out Florida’s full season performance on the Panthers Team Page.

Recent Head-to-Head and Playoff Implications

The Panthers have taken 2 out of 3 from the Lightning this season, including a 2-1 win on March 3. The in-state rivals split their back-to-back games in December, with each team winning on the road.

Tonight’s game could be a preview of a first-round playoff clash, making it a key momentum builder for Tampa Bay, even as Florida coasts into the postseason.

Want to go deeper? Explore division-specific previews like the NHL Atlantic Division Odds and get sharp insights from the Expert NHL Betting Guide.

Injury Notes and Lineup Shuffles

Tampa Bay remains cautious with Oliver Bjorkstrand, who’s week-to-week with a lower-body injury. In 18 games with the Lightning, he’s tallied five goals and four assists. Also missing is Luke Glendening, an essential fourth-line faceoff man and penalty killer, out with an upper-body issue.

Coach Paul Maurice has also been strategic on Florida’s end—resting Brad Marchand, Anton Lundell, Mackie Samoskevich, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola over recent games.

For the most up-to-date injury reports and positional depth charts, head to the Scores and Stats NHL Blog.