Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Analysis<\/h3>\n
Three-year Stanley Cup finalists the Tampa Bay Lightning haven\u2019t got off to the greatest start so far this season, dropping three of their opening four games in the league, and will look for a response here on Friday against the Florida Panthers.<\/p>\n
However, that\u2019s not an issue that will likely concern the Lightning all that much, especially considering they won just two of their opening seven games to start last season as well.<\/p>\n
They face a team in Florida later tonight who will likely be out for a little revenge after getting swept during last season\u2019s conference second-round series against the Lightning, with Tampa blowing them out by multiple goals in three of those four losses as well.<\/p>\n
Outside of their lopsided postseason meetings last year, the Lightning and Panthers split a four-game series during the regular season, with both teams winning and losing one at home and on the road.<\/p>\n
Stamkos Runs Red-Hot For the Lightning<\/h3>\n
Despite Tampa\u2019s recent disappointing run to start the season, Steven Stamkos has been lights out so far this year, ranking as the top offensive scorer in the league this season with six goals banked already.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a facet of the game that hasn\u2019t changed much for the Canadian center from last season either, where he ranked top ten on overall goals scored during the regular season, as well as being tied for the third most goals during the playoffs also.<\/p>\n
Florida Haven\u2019t Found The Same Offensive Form<\/h3>\n
The Florida Panthers ranked as last season\u2019s best offensive team by quite some margin, notching a 0.31 goals per game advantage over their nearest competitors the Toronto Maple Leafs during the regular season, and had by far the highest expected goals average last year also.<\/p>\n
The Panthers haven\u2019t quite hit those same high marks to start this season however, tied for 14th on overall offensive scoring this year and ranking down in 12th on total expected goals as well.<\/p>\n
Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction<\/h2>\n
We believe the Lightning can bounce back with a win here on Friday going on the road down in Florida against the Panthers.<\/p>\n
Despite their overall poor start to the season, Tampa Bay already ranks as the #1 team in the league this season on expected goals average, with the Lightning having the 4th lowest expected differential in the league to start the year, which highlights why their expected goals number hasn\u2019t translated to actual goals yet, where they rank down in 27th in the league averaging just 2.50 goals per game this season.<\/p>\n
However, that wheel will no doubt turn and with the Lightning owning the league\u2019s 2nd highest high-danger creation rate this season as well, (conversion\u2019s another matter where they rank bottom of the league in 32nd), but all those great chances Tampa are creating will go in at some point and with the Lightning going a red-hot 93-28 in their last 121 games after scoring 2 or fewer goals in their last matchup, look for that bounceback to likely happen tonight.<\/p>\n
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline -110<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
![\"NHL](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tPe2TbWXRYY\/maxresdefault.jpg\")