Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning vs Panthers Game 4 Odds, Analysis, & Picks

The Battle of the Sunshine State continues on Monday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Florida Panthers for Game 4 of their first-round series. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 PM EDT. The Cats currently have a 2-1 lead, but the Bolts did grab a statement victory on Saturday on the road, winning 5-1. This contest will be an important one in how this series will play out. Read below for the Lightning vs Panthers Game 4 picks. 

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.

Lightning vs Panthers Game 4 Odds

Despite the Game 3 loss, the Panthers are a heavy -140 home favorite. The Lightning come back as a +118 underdog at NHL sportsbooks. Three of the last four meetings between these two rivals have cashed the Over. It could offer value again at -110 odds.

What’s happened so far in Lightning vs Panthers?

The Panthers rolled into Amalie Arena and took care of business through the first two games of the series, outscoring the Lightning 8-2 on their own rink. But Tampa Bay, which was the best offensive team in the league this season, responded with a big win over the weekend. That sets up a crucial Game 4 at Amerant Bank Arena.

Lightning vs Panthers Analysis

Tampa may have rolled into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a higher seed than the Panthers, but they knew one thing – Florida is the defending champions and a force to be reckoned with. The Bolts saw just that through Games 1 and 2 as their electric attack was completely shut down, and the Cats didn’t even have Aaron Ekblad back yet.

However, Jon Cooper’s squad completely bounced back in Saturday on the road, making a loud statement and proving they’re still very much alive in the series. Tampa put four past Sergei Bobrovsky (one empty-netter), despite being outshot 34-22. The Lightning got goals from five different players as well, including the likes of Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli, and Jake Guentzel. We’ll see if they can carry the momentum into Game 4.

While the Panthers were undoubtedly happy to win two on the road, the champs also do not want to drop back-to-back contests on home ice. That’s a no-no in the playoffs. Florida played very poorly in Game 3 and scored the first goal thanks to Matthew Tkachuk before allowing five unanswered. It wasn’t a pretty day.

The Cats do have Ekblad back in the lineup now, however, and Aleksander Barkov, who took a nasty hit from Brandon Hagel, is still playing, which is huge considering he’s one of their top guys and the captain. Although Game 4 is crucial for both teams, it’s arguably more important for Florida because going on the road in a 2-2 stranglehold isn’t ideal by any means. They need to perform in front of their home fans and respond here.

Lightning vs Panthers Game 4 Picks

The Cats were 27-13-2 at home during the regular season. I don’t see them dropping another one in their own rink. Florida will take a 3-1 series lead and have the chance to close things out in Tampa Bay. Take the Panthers moneyline.

Pick: Panthers -140 /Sports Interaction