Two clubs at opposite ends of their conference’s standings, the Tampa Bay Lightning (first in the Eastern Conference at 36-14-4) and the Florida Panthers (14th in the Eastern Conference at 28-24-3), square off on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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Ahead of watching this matchup, here is our prediction for which club will emerge victorious in Thursday’s hockey action.

Over the last 10 games, the Panthers have gone 4-6-0 while totaling 28 goals against 34 goals allowed. On 35 power-play opportunities during that span, they have scored six goals (17.1%).

Lightning vs. Panthers Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projection model for this game expects a final score of Lightning 4, Panthers 2.

Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-200)
Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.1 goals on average)
Spread Pick: Lightning (-1.5)

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Lightning Splits and Trends

The Lightning have finished 9-4-13 in overtime matchups on their way to an overall record of 36-14-4.
In the 17 games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it has an 8-7-2 record (good for 18 points).
The five times this season the Lightning ended a game with just one goal, they went 2-2-1 (five points).
Tampa Bay has taken 11 points from the 12 games this season when it scored exactly two goals (4-5-3 record).
The Lightning have scored three or more goals 35 times, and are 30-5-0 in those games (to register 60 points).
In the 17 games when Tampa Bay has capitalized on a lone power-play goal, it has an 11-4-2 record (24 points).
In the 30 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 18-9-3 (39 points).
The Lightning’s opponents have had more shots in 23 games. The Lightning went 17-5-1 in those matchups (35 points).
Panthers Splits and Trends

The Panthers have a record of 28-24-3 this season and are 6-3-9 in overtime contests.
In the 17 games Florida has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 26 points.
In 13 games this season when the Panthers ended a game with just one goal, they earned a total of five points (2-10-1).
When Florida has scored two goals this season, they’ve earned six points (2-6-2 record).
The Panthers have scored at least three goals in 32 games, earning 50 points from those contests.
Florida has scored a single power-play goal in 20 games this season and has recorded 23 points from those matchups.
When outshooting its opponent this season, Florida is 18-16-3 (39 points).
The Panthers’ opponents have had more shots in 19 games. The Panthers finished 11-8-0 in those matchups (22 points).

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Team Stats Comparison

Lightning vs. Panthers Game Time and TV Channel

When: Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Where: Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida

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