In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Blues prediction for this NHL game on Monday, December 22nd at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 19-13-3 this season after they defeated Carolina by a score of 6-4 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 3-0 in the first period and 4-3 in the third, but they scored the last three goals to get the comeback win. The Lightning out shot Carolina by a total of 29-22, won 57.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Finley, Goncalves, Guentzel (2), Point, and McDonagh, while Vasilevskiy stopped 18 out of 22 shots, which was an .818 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Tampa Bay lost to the Kings by a score of 2-1 and the Panthers by a score of 5-2. The Lightning have lost three of their last four games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 41 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.23 goals per game and they have allowed 2.66 goals against per game, while also going 17.0% on the power play and 84.1% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 13 goals and 30 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 17 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 12-7-2 with a 2.38 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this season.
St. Louis Blues Betting Preview
The St. Louis Blues are 14-15-8 this year after they defeated Florida by a score of 6-2 in their last game. St. Louis blew a 2-0 lead in the second period, but they scored the last four goals to pull away with the upset win. The Blues out shot Florida by a total of 31-29, won 50.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. St. Louis got goals from Berggren, Neighbours (2), Thomas (2), and Faulk, while Hofer stopped 27 out of 29 shots, which was a .931 save percentage.
Prior to that game, St. Louis lost to the Rangers by a score of 2-1, but did beat the Jets by a score of 1-0 before that. The Blues have alternated wins and losses over their last six games and they are currently fifth in the Central standings with 36 points. St. Louis has scored 2.54 goals per game and they have allowed 3.38 goals against per game, while also going 18.4% on the power play and 77.4% on the penalty kill this season. Robert Thomas has led St. Louis with nine goals and 18 assists, while Justin Faulk has added nine goals and 10 assists. The projected starting goalie for St. Louis is Jordan Binnington, who is 7-8-6 with a 3.41 goals against average and an .873 save percentage this year.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win
- The home team has won seven of the last eight games between the Blues and Lightning.
- The Blues have lost each of their last four games at Benchmark International Arena.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against the Blues.
- The Lightning have won the first period in each of their last four home games against the Blues.
Total Goals Facts
- Five of the Blues’ last six games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between the Blues and Lightning at Benchmark International Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the last six games between the Blues and Lightning.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Blues’ last five games following a road win.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Anthony Cirelli has scored a goal in three of his last four home appearances against the Blues.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in 11 of the Lightning’s last 12 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
St. Louis Blues Player Prop Facts
- Robby Fabbri has scored a goal in each of his last three road appearances against the Lightning.
- Cam Fowler has recorded an assist in each of his last five road appearances against the Lightning.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.07%).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of five teams to rank in the top 10 for both goals scored and goals conceded per game this season.
- The St. Louis Blues rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.54).
- The St. Louis Blues rank T28th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.38).
Lightning vs Blues Prediction
Tampa Bay was able to get a much needed win over Carolina in their last game and I think that could spark some momentum, as they overcame a 3-0 deficit. The Lightning are 9-9-0 at home this year, while the Blues are 7-7-3 on the road. St. Louis has alternated wins and losses over their last six games and they have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last four. I don’t trust the St. Louis offense or Binnington in net, so take the Lightning -1.5 here.