Stanley Cup Playoffs: Panthers vs Lightning Game 5 Odds, Analysis, & Picks

Two bitter rivals will go to battle again on Wednesday, April 30 when the Florida Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:38 PM EDT. The Cats currently have a 3-1 lead and won Game 4 by a score of 4-2. In the process, they lost Aaron Ekblad to a two-game suspension, while Brandon Hagel was also injured due to an elbow from Ekblad, so both players won’t suit up here. Below, find the Panthers vs Lightning Game 5 picks. 

Odds provided by Sports Interaction.

Panthers vs Lightning Game 5 Odds

Both teams sit at -110 odds for Game 5, with no clear underdog at NHL sportsbooks. After dropping Game 3, the Panthers responded in Game 4 with a big win. They can close out this series on the road.

The Over has cashed in three of the four games and could offer immense value again.

Panthers vs Lightning Analysis

The defending champions have certainly looked the part in these playoffs so far. Despite finishing below the Bolts in the Atlantic Division, Paul Maurice’s squad is playing like a Stanley Cup contender. Aside from a disappointing Game 3, Florida has been dominant. They won the series opener 6-2 before shutting out the Lightning in Game 2. Then, in Game 4 on Monday, the Cats ran out with another victory, putting them on the brink of advancing.

Four different players got on the scoresheet here, with Anton Lundell, Carter Verhaeghe, Ekblad, and Seth Jones all scoring. They were actually down 2-1 in the second period before scoring three unanswered in the third. Everyone is doing their part so far in the postseason, with Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett all sitting on four points apiece. This is a deep team, and it’s shown in the first round series.

The Bolts are looking to stave off elimination on Wednesday, and they’ll have the chance to do so on home soil. Considering Tampa Bay was the top offensive team in the NHL during the regular season, it hasn’t been a pretty series for them. Outside of scoring five goals in Game 3, the Lightning have netted just four times in the other three contests. Far from good enough.

Jon Cooper confirmed Tuesday that Hagel is unavailable for this matchup after he exited Game 4 early with a head injury. That’s a dramatic blow for Tampa since he is one of their top producers. On a more positive note, the Bolts have the chance to at least push the series to six games and potentially win one, if not two more games, on home ice. Tampa was 29-8-4 at Amalie Arena during the regular season.

Panthers vs Lightning Game 5 Picks

I expect this one to be entertaining and a close game, as the Bolts fight to stay alive. However, instead of taking either team to win, I’m eyeing the Over in goals. It’s hit in back-to-back meetings, and Tampa should be able to find its offensive touch at home.

Pick: Over 5.5 goals (-110) /Sports Interaction