Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning, Picks and Prediction, Monday, December 15, 2025
The Florida Panthers face the Tampa Bay Lightning with both teams looking to improve in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers are 16-13-2 and four wins in their last five games have them only a few points out of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning are 18-11-3 and boast the best record in the Atlantic Division. Who will win this game? Check out our Panthers vs Lightning prediction!
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Panthers hope offense fuels season turnaround
The Panthers are turning their season around thanks to their offense, which averages 3.13 goals per game with 21 goals in the last five games. Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart have scored 33 goals and 31 assists while Sam Bennett, Anton Lundell, and Carter Verhaeghe have combined for 28 goals and 41 assists to give the Panthers multiple forward lines that can come at teams in waves.
The offense has been great, but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.16 goals per game. Niko Mikkola and Gustav Forsling have combined for 3.7 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. Additionally, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is having a rough season in the net, with -6.6 goals saved above average, and he hopes the 15-save shutout is the start of a turnaround.
Key injury report for Panthers
- Matthew Tkachuk (groin) has resumed skating. Is a key part of the forward unit.
Tampa Bay is playing great across the board
The Lightning are the best team in the Atlantic Division thanks to their offense lately, scoring 3.25 goals per game with 16 goals in the last three games. Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel have scored 28 goals and 47 assists, while Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Brayden Point have combined for 32 goals and 33 assists to add depth to the forward unit and make the offense tough to stop.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has been great all season, allowing only 2.56 goals per game. JJ Moser and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg have combined for 4.7 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has been great in the net with a .916 save percentage and a 2.31 goals-against average on 509 shots with 8.9 goals saved above average while allowing only seven goals in the last five games.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Key injury report for Lightning
- Victor Hedman (elbow) was placed on injured reserve. Had 12 assists and is a key part of the defense.
Panthers vs Lightning Pick
Money Line Pick For Panthers vs Lightning
- Panthers (+120) (4 units)
The Lightning look like the best team in the Eastern Conference, but the Panthers have won four of their last five games, and I see them taking over this game from the first period. The Panthers, who average 3.13 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Panthers look to limit the Lightning offense with Sergei Bobrovsky building off of a shutout start and blanking the shots on the net while defensemen Niko Mikkola and Gustav Forsling create turnovers in front of him. The Panthers should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Panthers' money line as road Underdogs.
Over/Under Pick For Panthers vs Lightning
- Over 6.5 (5 Units)
With both teams playing great offense, I see this game being a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Lightning, who have scored 16 goals in their last three games, should pile on the goals with Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence while creating open shots with effective puck movement to overwhelm the Lightning defense. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 goals.
The Panthers and Lightning go at it inthe Battle of Florida with both teams in the middle of strong stretches.
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