The Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning meet Wednesday in NHL action from the Amalie Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning prediction.
Boston Bruins Team Preview
The Boston Bruins come into this one looking to build on a 4-3 win over Florida last time out. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 101 points including a team-high 45 goals and 56 assists while Brad Marchand has 63 points with 27 goals and 36 assists. Charlie Coyle has 55 points with 23 goals and 32 assists while Charlie McAvoy has 44 points with 34 assists and Pavel Zacha has 49 points with 18 goals and 31 assists. Jeremy Swayman’s gone 23-8-8 with a 2.57 GAA and a .916 save percentage for the Bruins in goal while Linus Ullmark is 19-8-7 with a 2.66 GAA and a .914 save percentage this season. The Bruins are atop the Atlantic Division with 99 points, one behind the Rangers in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, the Senators have the worst record in the Atlantic Division.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning come into this one looking to build on a 3-2 OT win over Anaheim last time out. Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 123 points including a team-high 41 goals and 82 assists while Brayden Point has 41 goals and 39 assists for his 80 points. Victor Hedman’s added 69 points with 57 assists while Steven Stamkos has 65 points with 36 assists and Brandon Hagel has 64 points split between 23 goals and 41 assists. Jonas Johansson has gone 12-7-5 with a 3.37 GAA and an .890 save percentage while Andrei Vasilevskiy is 26-16-2 with a 2.94 GAA and an .897 save percentage this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Facts
- The Lightning have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last nine home games.
- The Lightning have won the second period in each of their last six games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Boston Bruins Team Facts
- The Bruins have won each of their last four games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Bruins have covered the puck line in each of their last 12 games as underdogs.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Bruins’ last six night games.
- The underdogs have won the second period in each of the Bruins’ last four games.
Bruins vs. Lightning Prediction
I’m on the Lightning here. I think it’s just a tough spot even for a top-tier team like the Bruins to face such high-level competition on a back-to-back, especially in two matchups that could be playoff previews. I think this is going to be another competitive effort here, but the Lightning are rested and likely have Vasilevskiy in goal here. I’ll side with Tampa Bay at the coin flip price.