Welcome back to NHL Predictions 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs style, where we break down the matchups, analyze the chaos, and try to predict the future with the accuracy of a Florida weather forecast. Tonight, it’s Game 5 of the Battle for the Peninsula as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers return to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Locked in a 3-1 battle that shoulda/coulda been 2-2, there’s been more swings than a beachside hammock. Let’s break it down and try to pick the winners.
Series – Florida – 3 Tampa Bay – 1
Eastern Conference Round One
TV: ESPN+
Puck Drop: 7:30 p.m. EDT
NHL Predictions: Lightning Keys to Victory
Let’s break it down to four points. Kill the Momentum, Not Just the Penalty: After dropping Game 4 in excruciating fashion (two goals allowed in 11 seconds with 3+ minutes left), Tampa needs to weather Florida’s early push. Scoring first would help, unless you’re superstitious about Lightning leads in Amalie, which, fair enough. Hit more: Being outhit 46-28 is not sending a message. Or at least it’s going unread. Power Play Precision: Kucherov and Point must rediscover their playoff magic. Tampa’s man-advantage has been flatter than a panini (two last game to Florida’s three). If they get rolling, it’s trouble for Florida. Vasy’s Vengeance: Andrei Vasilevskiy hasn’t looked quite like “Big Cat” — more like “Slightly Annoyed Housecat.” If he returns to form, NHL Predictions thinks Tampa can steal and seal this one.
Panthers Keys to Victory
Here’s the Fantastic Four points for Florida (shameless plug for the new Marvel movie). Bennett the Menace: Sam Bennett needs to get back to annoying everyone in a 30-foot radius. His three shots and no points last game won’t help to end this. His ability to get under Tampa’s skin (and possibly into their dental records) is invaluable. Bobrovsky = Bubble Wrap: Bob’s been inconsistent — brilliant in Games 1 and 2, leaky in Game 3, and lucky in Game 4. If “Good Bob” shows up, Tampa’s going to need to phone a friend. Barkovian Brilliance: Aleksander Barkov needs more than four assists and no goals in the first four Games. If he returns to dominating both ends of the ice, Florida has a good shot at ending the series.
NHL Predictions
This series should have been a coin flip. Both teams have the star power, grit, and goaltending (when they feel like it). But Florida took home ice from Tampa, and the Lightning almost, but didn’t, return the favour. Those 11 seconds still feel like 11 hours. Tampa probably doesn’t recover from that in this year’s Battle of Florida playoff edition.
Final Score Prediction: Florida 4 – Tampa Bay 2
(Empty-net goal included, because of course Tampa will pull the goalie with 2:14 left.)
Prop Bets Worth a Look:
- Brayden Point to score a goal: He’s due, like that Amazon package from 2022.
- Matthew Tkachuk over 1.5 points: The guy’s built for playoff chaos.
- Penalty Minutes – Sam Bennett over 2.5: Because he just can’t help himself.
Main Photo Credit: Rich Storry – Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions Playoff Edition with Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers – Game 5 appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.