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Lightning vs. Panthers prediction: Close contest projected after new data released for Saturday's NHL matchup [12/27/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers predictions for NHL Saturday.
NHL action continues on Saturday at 7:00 PM ET as the Tampa Bay Lightning lock horns with the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' proven NHL model gives an equal chance for both both teams to win the Lightning-Panthers matchup.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Saturday's Lightning vs. Panthers matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Lightning vs. Panthers prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Saturday's NHL game between the Lightning and Panthers 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model can't split the two teams, giving both the Lightning and Panthers a 50% chance of winning the game.
According to our model, the Lightning (+1.5) have a 70% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of six goals has a 51% chance of going over.
Lightning vs. Panthers odds
We have researched the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Lightning | Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-265) | -1.5 (+225) |
| Moneyline | -106 | -110 |
| Total | o6 (-115) | u6 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Lightning vs. Panthers picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Panthers -1.5 | +225 |
| Moneyline | Lightning | -106 |
| Total | Under 6 | -105 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Panthers -1.5 at the spread.
Lightning vs. Panthers player props
Who will score a goal in Lightning vs. Panthers?
According to our model, Sam Reinhart is most likely to score an anytime goal in Lightning vs. Panthers.
Our projections give Reinhart a 40.4% chance of scoring a goal at Amerant Bank Arena, while the star is a 9.0% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Jake Guentzel | 38.4% |
| Brayden Point | 37.5% |
| Nikita Kucherov | 33.6% |
| Anthony Cirelli | 22.1% |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | 20.3% |
Florida Panthers
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sam Reinhart | 40.4% |
| Sam Bennett | 34.8% |
| Brad Marchand | 32.5% |
| Carter Verhaeghe | 27.3% |
| Evan Rodrigues | 22.0% |
First goal scorer predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Brayden Point | 7.8% |
| Jake Guentzel | 7.5% |
| Nikita Kucherov | 6.9% |
| Oliver Bjorkstrand | 4.1% |
| Anthony Cirelli | 4.0% |
Florida Panthers
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Sam Reinhart | 9.0% |
| Sam Bennett | 7.0% |
| Brad Marchand | 5.7% |
| Carter Verhaeghe | 5.0% |
| Anton Lundell | 3.8% |
Lightning vs. Panthers game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's action between the Panthers and Lightning at Amerant Bank Arena is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM ET.
- Who: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
- Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: Amerant Bank Arena
Conclusion
We predict a close game between the Lightning and Panthers on Saturday, with each team having a 50% chance of winning.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Lightning vs. Panthers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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