The Florida Panthers (20-14-2) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (20-13-3) at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Panthers took down the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 in their last outing, while the Lightning are coming off a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues.
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Here is our pick for who will capture the win in Saturday's game.
Over the last 10 contests, the Lightning have gone 4-5-1 while putting up 32 goals against 25 goals allowed. On 36 power-play opportunities during that span, they have scored eight goals (22.2%).
Panthers vs. Lightning Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this encounter expects a final tally of Panthers 4, Lightning 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Panthers (-110)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Lightning (+1.5)
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Panthers Splits and Trends
- The Panthers (20-14-2 overall) have a 3-2-5 record in contests that have needed overtime.
- Florida has 17 points (8-0-1) in the nine games it has played that were decided by one goal.
- The seven times this season the Panthers ended a game with just one goal, they went 1-5-1 (three points).
- Florida has finished 1-4-1 in the six games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering three points).
- The Panthers have scored at least three goals in 22 games (18-4-0, 36 points).
- In the 13 games when Florida has recorded a lone power-play goal, it went 8-5-0 to record 16 points.
- In the 21 games when it outshot its opponent, Florida is 11-8-2 (24 points).
- The Panthers have been outshot by opponents in 15 games, going 9-6-0 to record 18 points.
Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning have a 3-3-6 record in overtime matchups this season and a 20-13-3 overall record.
- Tampa Bay has earned 14 points (6-7-2) in its 15 games decided by one goal.
- This season the Lightning registered just one goal in three games and they finished 0-2-1 in those matchups.
- Tampa Bay has eight points (3-5-2) when scoring a pair of goals this season.
- The Lightning have earned 34 points in their 21 games with three or more goals scored.
- Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal in 12 games this season and has recorded 16 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Tampa Bay is 6-9-2 (14 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents in 18 games, going 13-4-1 to record 27 points.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Panthers Rank | Panthers AVG | Lightning AVG | Lightning Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9th | 3.19 | Goals Scored | 3.25 | 6th |
| 18th | 3.14 | Goals Allowed | 2.61 | 4th |
| 7th | 29.3 | Shots | 27.6 | 20th |
| 7th | 26.6 | Shots Allowed | 26.5 | 6th |
| 17th | 19.05% | Power Play % | 17.24% | 22nd |
| 11th | 82.2% | Penalty Kill % | 84.35% | 3rd |
Panthers vs. Lightning Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida
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