Mar 3, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/54bf7b5f-f839-47eb-ba85-5779b6fe32a2.jpeg] Mar 3, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a save against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) The state of Florida is buzzing ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoff series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. It marks the fourth time over the past five postseasons that the Cats and Bolts have locked horns. Game 1 will take place Tuesday night from Amalie Arena in Tampa. As fans continue to show their excitement about the battle to come, many have also decided to place a wager on who they feel is going to emerge victorious. According to Hard Rock Bet, the popular gambling app used in Florida, bets are nearly split down the middle between the two rivals. As of Tuesday morning, 51% of Florida bettors have put their money on Tampa Bay to win the series while 49% believe the Panthers will win. Unsurprisingly, when looking at a geographical breakdown of the bets, South Florida leans much more toward the Panthers while Central Florida is backing the Bolts. As of the time of this story's publishing, Tampa Bay is a slight favorite over Florida in Game 1 at -115 (Florida is -105), but it’s the Panthers who are favored to win the series, coming in at -115 to Tampa's -105, according to the Hard Rock Bet app. As for each team's Stanley Cup odds, Florida has the second best odds at +650 (Carolina is +600) while Tampa Bay has the eighth shortest odds, coming in at +1000. For a county-by-county breakdown of how Florida fans are betting the series, Hard Rock Bet created a special tracking website that can be accessed by clicking here [https://www.hardrock.bet/news/panthers-vs-lightning-who-are-floridians-pulling-for/]. Statewide county splits for the Panthers-Lightning series based on bets. (Hard Rock Bet) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3e906854-e781-4a2c-84e4-3be29f20f985.jpeg] Statewide county splits for the Panthers-Lightning series based on bets. (Hard Rock Bet) LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers full of 'excitement and energy' ahead of Game 1 in Tampa [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-full-of-excitement-and-energy-ahead-of-game-1-in-tampa] Matthew Tkachuk continues trending toward Game 1 return as Panthers travel to Tampa [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-continues-trending-toward-game-1-return-as-panthers-travel-to-tampa] Panthers taking full advantage of late start to Stanley Cup Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-taking-full-advantage-of-late-start-to-stanley-cup-playoffs] Florida Panthers bringing exciting on-ice projection system back for Stanley Cup Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-bringing-exciting-on-ice-projection-system-back-for-stanley-cup-playoffs] Matthew Tkachuk joins Florida Panthers for full practice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-joins-florida-panthers-for-full-practice]
