The Battle of Florida is back and this series is going to be one of the best. The Panthers and Lightning square off tonight once again in the opening round of the NHL Playoffs, and history tells us this matchup tends to set the tone for the entire postseason.
These teams don’t just battle it out on the ice — they punish each other. Game 1 should be crazy fast, physical, and packed with highlight plays. That also means there are some serious opportunities in the player prop market.
We’ve found 3 of the best player prop bets heading into this heavyweight Game 1.
Player Prop Odds: +110
We’re getting plus money on one of the most consistent assist producers from the blue line and it’s truly hard to ignore, so we’re taking it all day.
Victor Hedman has recorded at least one assist in 6 straight home games against the Panthers. That’s not a fluke — it’s a trend and that’s why we’re crazy for this one.
He had 66 points this season, with 38 of those coming on assists, and he’s quarterbacking a power play unit that finished with the 5th-best conversion rate in the league at 25.9%. The Panthers have a strong penalty kill unit sitting at 80.7%, but they also take a lot of PIMs — ranking 1st in total minutes. That sets up perfectly for Hedman to rack up some solid power-play minutes and create chances in the slot.
Hedman also logs a ton of ice time with an average of 23:04 TOI, especially in tight playoff games. With guys like Kucherov and Point finishing chances in front of him, he just needs to connect once. That’s all.
At +110, this is one of the best value plays on the board of the 4 NHL playoff games tonight.
Player Prop Odds: +200
Tkachuk is a playoff gamer and everyone knows that. He’s physical, he’s loud, and most importantly — he scores when it matters most, like tonight.
He enters Game 1 after coming back to the ice from the 4 Nations Face Off after an injury but left off on a 6-game goal streak. He’s primed and ready to take it on tonight.
Despite playing just 52 games this season, Tkachuk still put up 22 goals and 11 power-play tallies. Against the Lightning’s aggressive forecheck, his grit around the crease in the low slot could really pay off. Tampa allows a fair number of shots with a 28.2 SA/G, and Tkachuk thrives in chaotic net-front situations.
At +200, you’re getting solid value on a player who’s getting back into the action hungrier than ever. If the Panthers are going to make a statement in Game 1, it’ll likely be with Tkachuk setting the tone for the rest of the series. Don’t be surprised if he pots one early and gets the crowd and this bet going.
Player Prop Odds: +135
Gourde has quietly been one of the most reliable playoff performers when the lights get bright. He’s scored at least one point in 7 of his last 8 postseason games, and while he’s no longer the headliner in Tampa, he still plays a big depth role and still sees situational ice time on a regular basis.
He only played 21 games this season, but he still managed 14 points — that’s a solid 0.67 points per game clip. His chemistry with the 2nd unit gives him an edge, especially in a series like this where 3rd and 4th-line production can tilt a game. The Lightning will need this against a surging Panthers team.
What makes this prop even more appealing is the +135 price. One secondary assist is all it takes to cash this, and given the pace and physicality of the Battle of Florida playoff series, there will be plenty of rebounds, scrums, and gritty goals. Gourde is always in the mix so we feel pretty good about him.
Nikita Kucherov is sitting on 121 points during the regular season which put him atop of everying. This includes a ridiculous 84 assists, and he’s involved in nearly every Tampa scoring sequence. How he does it is beyond us, but it does make for a tempting NHL player prop. While the odds on his props are a little steep, parlaying Kucherov for a point at -360 with another play can give your bet a strong base.
These teams do not like each other and that’s what we love about it. The stats back up what the eye test already tells us — when the Panthers and Lightning clash, all of the players step up.
Game 1 will be emotional, high-tempo, and full of power play chances. That’s why Hedman assists, Tkachuk to score, and Gourde to grab a point are 3 of the most valuable props heading into this first-round showdown. We’ve done the dirty work for you, now it’s time to get that bet slip loaded up.