The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-3-1) face the Toronto Maple Leafs (5-4-1) Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lightning vs. Maple Leafs odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Lightning opened with a rather dismal 2-3-1 record, but the defending champs are starting to round into form. Tampa Bay has won three straight games, outscoring the opposition 13-4 during the run. That includes a 3-2 win over Washington last time out.
The Maple Leafs have also won three straight, including a 4-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday, its most complete game of the season. Toronto is outscoring the opposition 12-6 during the streak.
Lightning at Maple Leafs odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lightning +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Maple Leafs -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lightning +1.5 (-230) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -140 | U: +112)
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Lightning at Maple Leafs projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (5-2-1, 2.46 GAA, .915 SV%) vs. Jack Campbell (4-2-1, 1.99 GAA, .929 SV%, 1 SO)
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 33 shots in a 3-2 win over Washington Monday, his season-high third consecutive victory. He has allowed just four goals over the past 87 shots.
Campbell picked up the shutout against VGK, turning aside all 26 shots he faced. It was his the fifth shutout of his NHL career, and his third since Feb. 27 of last season.
Lightning at Maple Leafs odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Maple Leafs 2
Money line
The LIGHTNING (+115) are slight underdogs heading north of the border to battle the Maple Leafs (-140). The defending champs have won six of their past eight trips to Toronto, while the road team is 5-1 in the past six meetings in this series. Look for Tampa Bay to keep up its good work against Toronto.
Against the spread
The Lightning +1.5 (-230) will cost you over two times your potential return, and that’s just too expensive. If you like them, just play the money line.
AVOID.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-140) is the lean, but it’s only worth a small-unit play.
The Over is 3-1-1 in the past five games overall for Tampa Bay. However, the Under has dominated for Toronto lately, going 5-2 in the past seven at home dating back to last season. The Lightning’s high-octane offense will get to Campbell, who is due for a poor outing.
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