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The Tampa Bay Lightning got on the board in the Battle of Florida with an emphatic 5-1 victory in Game 3.
The Bolts will look to even up the best-of-7 series with a repeat performance in Game 4 in Sunrise.
It’s been a physical, borderline nasty, series so far, and things will only get more tense as we get into the business end of this best-of-7.
The Panthers are a decided -146 favorite at home on Monday night.
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Panthers vs. Lightning Game 4 betting preview
This has not been a simple series to handicap.
These are two evenly matched teams, so a 2-1 series scoreline after three games sounds appropriate on paper, but the route we’ve taken to get here has been interesting.
The Lightning were a no-show in Game 1 and were not much better in Game 2, but they found their legs on the road on Saturday afternoon to get back into this series.
Along the way, we’ve had a suspension, some gamesmanship in the press room from the coaches, and plenty of fisticuffs.
Oftentimes, when a series plays out this way, things do settle down as we get into crunch time. The Lightning won’t shy away from the physical side of the game, but it seems safe to assume that both teams will be on their best behavior in Game 4 so they don’t put themselves behind the 8-ball in a massive contest.
Jake Guentzel and Nick Paul celebrate after a goal in Game 3. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectPanthers vs. Lightning Game 4 pick
For all the chicanery and fireworks in this series, these were two of the best defensive teams in the NHL this season.
Both Florida and Tampa Bay were experts at limiting high-danger scoring chances, and they finished seventh and fourth, respectively, in goals against average in the regular season.
With the stakes getting higher with each passing game, it seems safe to assume that both teams will color inside the lines in Game 4 and allow the defenses to do the talking.
The Play: Under 5.5 (bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
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