Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Florida Panthers taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Series Head-to-Head: Panthers 1-0 Lightning
Time: 6:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TVAS2, TBS, TruTV, SN 360, Fan Duel Sports Sun, Scripps Florida; Max
We open up this round of NHL predictions with the Sunshine State battle between the Panthers and Lightning. Sergei Bobrovsky will likely draw the start again for Florida. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. The Panthers looked like the defending Stanley Cup champions after a dominant Game 1 performance. Matthew Tkachuk returned to the lineup with three points for the Cats.
Andrei Vasilevskiy will get the call again in goal as the Lightning try to recover from that 6-2 loss in the series-opener. Tampa Bay doesn’t want to go to South Florida facing an 0-2 series deficit. Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point registered goals for Tampa in the losing effort.
One thing Lightning teams do well is adjust and they should rebound in this one. Getting a series split is critical for Tampa Bay’s chances.
Prediction: Lightning win 3-2.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild
Series Head-to-Head: Panthers 1-0 Lightning
Time: 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: TVAS2, TBS, TruTV, SN 360, Fan Duel Sports North, Scripps Vegas; Max
Our last game of NHL predictions has the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the Minnesota Wild in Game 3. Adin Hill will likely get the start in the blue paint as the Golden Knights try to bounce back after a 5-2 defeat. Vegas couldn’t recover after Minnesota rattled off the first four goals of the game. Noah Hanifn and Tomas Hertl each scored in the loss.
Filip Gustavsson will get his third straight start as the Wild look to take a surprising series lead. Kirill Kaprizov recorded two goals and an assist for Minnesota in the second game. The Wild look like the team that got off to a blistering start in the first half of the season before injuries took a toll on the roster.
The XCel Energy Center will be rocking for this game. However, the Golden Knights are well-equipped to get the win and wrest home-ice advantage back.
Prediction: Golden Knights win 4-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out our NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s go back to our featured matchup in the Battle of Florida for our props. The over/under for this game is 5.5 and we like the under just a bit better in this game.
For individual props, take Sam Reinhart to score a goal for Florida. On the Tampa Bay side of things, go with Nikita Kucherov to get the over on 0.5 power-play points in this game.
Main photo by: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: April 24 Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.