Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 4: Eastern Conference Playoffs – First Round

The Tampa Bay Lightning are going into Game 4 against the Florida Panthers with their backs against the wall. Losing on Saturday at Amalie Arena would mean the end of their season.

The Panthers are ready for a deep playoff run

The Florida Panthers have been among the top teams in the Eastern Conference for a while now, and it seems like this may be the season when they will go all the way. After winning two tight games on home ice, the Panthers came to Tampa Bay and dominated the game for a 5-3 win. Matthew Tkachuk opened the score in the first period and then sealed the deal with an empty-net goal. Sergei Bobrovsky did a great job on the goal line with 26 saves.

Can the Lightning stay alive in the series?

The Tampa Bay Lightning had another season reaching the playoffs among the lower-seeded teams, but they did not show up ready as usual for the postseason. It is a fact that they were pretty close in each of the first three games in the series, but that does not help them at all now that they are three games down. The Lightning had a good stretch in Game 3, taking over the lead with a pair of goals in the opening three minutes of the second period, but that was it from them. Steven Stamkos, Tyler Motte, and Nicholas Paul scored for Tampa Bay, while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 26 shots.

Betting Trends

Florida has won 7 of the last 8 games against Tampa Bay. The Panthers are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games overall, 14-6 SU in the last 20 games on the road, and 5-0 SU in the last five games against teams from the Eastern Conference. The Lightning are 1-6 SU in the last 7 games overall, 2-4 SU in the last six home games, and 1-4 SU in the last five games against teams from the Eastern Conference.

Prediction and Conclusion

The Florida Panthers saved their home ice advantage in Game 2 of the series, and with a great performance in the following one, they got full control of the series. Their energy is what makes the difference in the series, and they are one step away from advancing to the next round. However, that may not happen today, as the lightning will definitely not quit. Tampa Bay is too good of a team to allow a sweep from any team in the league, especially their state rival. Nikita Kucherov will step up big time and keep his team alive in the series.