In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Hurricanes prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 20th 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 18-13-3 this season after they lost to Los Angeles by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay led 1-0 after the first period, but they allowed two goals in the second and couldn’t recover for the loss. The Lightning out shot LA by a total of 32-20, won 54.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-5 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got their lone goal from Bjorkstrand, while Vasilevskiy stopped 18 out of 20 shots, which was a .900 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Tampa Bay lost to the Panthers by a score of 5-2 and the Islanders by a score of 3-2. The Lightning have lost three games in a row and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 39 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.15 goals per game and they have allowed 2.62 goals against per game, while also going 17.4% on the power play and 85.2% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 13 goals and 29 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 15 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 11-7-2 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .917 save percentage this season.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes are 22-9-3 this year after they lost to Florida by a score of 4-3 in a shootout. The Hurricanes led 3-0 in the third period, but allowed three goals in the last 10 minutes and lost in the shootout. Carolina was out shot by a total of 41-29, won 41.8% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. The Hurricanes got goals from Aho (2) and Staal, while Bussi stopped 38 out of 41 shots, which was a .927 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Carolina defeated the Predators by a score of 4-1 and the Flyers by a score of 3-2. The Hurricanes have won five of their last six games and they are currently first in the Metro standings with 47 points. Carolina has scored 3.27 goals per game and they have allowed 2.73 goals against per game, while also going 15.5% on the power play and 80.4% on the penalty kill this season. Sebastian Aho has led Carolina with 11 goals and 18 assists, while Seth Jarvis has added 19 goals and eight assists. The projected starting goalie for Carolina is Brandon Bussi, who is 11-1-0 with a 2.05 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win
- The Lightning have won six of their last seven home games against the Hurricanes following a home loss.
- The Hurricanes have lost each of their last three games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Hurricanes have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in six of their last eight night games against the Hurricanes following a loss.
- The Hurricanes have lost the third period in eight of their last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Nine of the Lightning’s last 10 home games against the Hurricanes following a loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Hurricanes’ last four road games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Hurricanes’ last nine games following a shootout loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Brayden Point has scored at least one goal in three of the Lightning’s last four games against the Hurricanes.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in 12 of his last 13 home appearances against the Hurricanes.
Carolina Hurricanes Player Prop Facts
- Shayne Gostisbehere has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances after playing the previous day.
Lightning vs Hurricanes Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into this matchup trying to snap their three game losing streak, but they have scored two goals or fewer in all three of those losses. The Lightning are 8-9-0 at home this year, while the Hurricanes are 11-4-2 at home. Carolina has won five of their last six games, but they are on a back to back and had a heartbreaking loss last night. The Hurricanes have gone to overtime or a shootout in four of their last five and I don’t see them bouncing back from that third period collapse here. Take Tampa Bay at home.