Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 2024 NHL Odds, Time, and Prediction

The Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers is one of the greatest NHL rivalries. It’s been going on for more than 30 years and the next “Battle of Florida” is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 2024. Who’s going to win? Let’s find out!

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds

Spread	Odds
Florida Panthers -1	+162
Tampa Bay Lightning +1	-233

Moneyline	Odds
Florida Panthers	-108
Tampa Bay Lightning	+100

Points Total	Odds
Over 6.5	+122
Under 6.5	-13-

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
• Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024
• Time: 5:00 PM ET
• How to Watch: fubo

Panthers Coming to Florida After a Mid-Atlantic Trip

The Florida Panthers are 35-4-15 this season, which puts them at the very top of the Eastern Conference. They’re on a run with four straight wins, with the last two of those happening on the road. First, they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2, then they beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0.

THE FLORIDA PANTHERS ARE IN FIRST PLACE IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE

REMAIN CALM 🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/4HyI1OXf54

— Adam Reid (@AdamReid_) February 16, 2024

This Saturday, they’re back in Florida, but they’re playing on the road again. They’re coming to Tampa’s Amalie Arena to take on their state-based rivals. They won on their last two trips to Tampa, but in general, they tend to struggle against the Lightning away from home.

On the bright side for the Panthers, they’ve been brilliant in the 2023-24 NHL season in games played on the road. In fact, they have won every single away game since December 18.

Tampa Bay Lightning Playing Great at Home

The Tampa Bay Lightning want to get to the postseason for which they will have to keep their good run going. They’re on a run of three straight wins, but when it comes to the games played at Amalie Arena, their run is much more extensive.

Actually, they have won every single home game in the NHL since the start of 2024. This includes games against some real tough opponents such as the Colorado Avalanche. They beat Colorado 6-3 in their most recent home game.

I WANT YOU TO PUT THE WORD OUT THAT NO OTHER PLAYER AROUND THE NHL IS MORE VALUABLE TO THEIR TEAM THAN NIKITA KUCHEROV IS TO THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING pic.twitter.com/3ZHkdr2ahG

— NICK PAUL’S HYPEMAN (@BLXCKMASS1) February 16, 2024

The same result happened in the two home games before that (vs. New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes), and we also saw them beat the Minnesota Wild 7-3.

Nikita Kucherov was brilliant offensively in each of those games, however, neither he nor his teammates were too impressive defensively, which could be a major problem against the Panthers.

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction

The hosts are great offensively, scoring six or more goals in each of their last four home games. The visitors, however, are incredible defensively, keeping the opponents to two or fewer goals in each of their last six games on the road.

We think neither of these will do their usual thing on Saturday. The Lightning will score fewer than usual, and the Panthers will concede more than two.

Our Panthers vs. Lightning prediction is that the game will go to overtime (and perhaps even penalties) after 3-3 or 4-4 in regulation. And who’s going to win then? In such situations, it’s usually the team with the fan support that has the edge. So, we’re gonna go with the Lightning.

Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning