NHL Hockey Odds: Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Frank Martin
The surprising Florida Panthers just keep winning. The Panthers have once again climbed into first place in the Southeast Division with two straight victories after the All-Star break, leading the way by three points.
Florida tries to keep it going on Saturday when it travels north to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the teams’ sixth and final meeting. After winning the first two games against the Lightning, Florida has dropped three straight against its Sunshine State neighbor.
The Panthers will be playing their third contest in four nights and the Lightning had a day off Friday after their five-game winning streak was snapped in a 2-1 overtime loss to Winnipeg.
- Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 4, 2012
Where: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
TV: 7 p.m. ET; FS-FLA, SunSports.
The Lightning have opened as 145-moneyline favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NHL Hockey Odds.
Florida Panthers (24-15-11): Goaltender Scott Clemmensen has been making the best of his increased playing time. Clemmensen is 5-1-3 in his last nine games with a 2.15 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. With Jose Theodore and Jacob Markstrom still nursing injuries, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Clemmensen made his fifth straight start. Kris Versteeg, who missed the first game after the break with an illness, scored Friday to give him his third 20-goal season. He is just two away from equaling his career high in 2008-09 with Chicago.
Tampa Bay Lightning (22-23-5): The Lightning’s momentum continues to be tempered by a punch-less power play. Tampa Bay is 5 for 57 in the last 19 games with the man advantage and failed on a key attempt late in the third period of the loss to Winnipeg. The possible return of offensive defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron could help a power play that sat 27th in the league after finishing sixth last season. Martin St. Louis, who will play his 900th career game, has a season-high eight-game point streak. Steven Stamkos has 17 goals in 21 games.
1. The Lightning have points in nine of the last 11 games (5-2-4) against Florida.
2. Florida is 2-4-1 in the second game back-to-backs this season.
3. Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman scored his first goal since Oct. 22 on Thursday.
NHL PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Panthers 2
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florida panthers - jacob markstrom - marc-andre bergeron - scott clemmensen - steven stamkos - tampa bay lightning - tampa bay times forum - victor hedman
