Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers Forecast, 12/27/2025 NHL Selections, Best Wagers & Odds

• Matchup: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers
• Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
• Venue: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL
• Broadcast: Scripps Sports Local
• Betting Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (-144) Panthers (+120)

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The Tampa Bay Lightning (20-13-3) are set to visit the Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday, aiming to take down the Florida Panthers (20-14-2). The betting odds favor Tampa Bay at -144, with Florida at +120. The total over/under for the game is set at 6.

The Tampa Bay Lightning recently triumphed over the Blues with a score of 4-1. In that contest, Tampa Bay logged 4 penalty minutes and converted 2 out of 4 power play opportunities, showcasing a strong offensive display by scoring 4 goals on 17 shots.

This season, Lightning opponents have made 115 power play attempts (ranking 12th in the league), resulting in 18 goals. Tampa Bay has faced 958 shots, holding a save percentage of .902. The Lightning have taken 997 shots themselves, achieving an 11.7% shooting percentage. In even-strength situations, they allowed 76 goals while netting 96. With 116 power play tries, they’ve scored 21 goals, marking an 18.10% success rate. So far, Tampa Bay has earned 43 points, giving them a points percentage of .597. They have scored a total of 117 goals (9th in the NHL) and have allowed 94.

Between the pipes for Tampa Bay will be Andrei Vasilevskiy. Over the course of 562 professional games, Vasilevskiy has a record of 344-170-37, appearing in 552 games as a starter. He has surrendered 1,385 goals, averaging 2.51 goals against per game. Vasilevskiy has faced 16,682 shots and made 15,297 saves, resulting in a save percentage of .917 over 28,674 minutes on the ice. Throughout his career, he has achieved 322 quality starts, reflecting a .583 rate.

In their most recent game, the Florida Panthers faced off against the Hurricanes, winning decisively with a 5-2 scoreline. Florida had 4 power play chances, scoring once, and managed 5 goals from 22 shots on goal.

This season, the Panthers have accumulated 115 goals and 42 points, resulting in a points percentage of .583. They’ve allowed 113 goals, comprising 92 at even strength and 21 while shorthanded. Florida has scored 91 even-strength goals as well as 24 power play goals (ranked 10th in the NHL) from 126 attempts, achieving a power play success rate of 19.05%. The Panthers have taken 1,054 shots (13th in the league) with a shooting percentage of 10.91%, while allowing 960 shots against. Their penalty kill rate stands at 82.20%, successfully handling 97 out of 118 power play opportunities against them, with a save percentage of 88.2%.

Defending the net for Florida is likely to be Sergei Bobrovsky. He has recorded 20,468 saves out of 22,404 shots against, resulting in a .914 save percentage. Bobrovsky’s career record is 445-251-58, appearing in 779 games with 765 starts over 40,023 minutes. His quality start percentage is 58.2%, achieving 445 quality starts throughout his career; he has allowed an average of 2.53 goals per game, totaling 1,936 goals conceded.

Which team will secure the victory in tonight’s NHL matchup against the spread or moneyline?

Expert Prediction: Go for Florida (+120)