You couldn’t ask for a better first opponent. Just a few days after being acquired in a blockbuster deal, defenseman Seth Jones will make his debut with the Florida Panthers (37-21-3) when they host t

Analyzing Monday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The defense also does a good job limiting the opposition, ranking eighth in xGA/60. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning rank lower than the Panthers in all three categories. Another disadvantage for the Bolts is they have to go to Amerant Bank Arena for this contest, where Florida is 19-10-2 this season. Tampa is just 14-13-2 on the road.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will head south to battle the Florida Panthers. It will be a Sunbelt showdown at Amerant Bank Arena as we share our NHL odds series and make a Lightning-Panthers prediction and pick.