The Carolina Hurricanes (6-2-1) and Tampa Bay Lightning (6-4-0) meet Thursday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Lightning odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes enter off wins in consecutive games for the first time since opening the season 3-0. Carolina edged Philadelphia 4-3 in overtime on the road Saturday and topped Washington 3-2 in a shootout at home Monday. This will be Carolina’s first game against an Atlantic Division team this season.
The Lightning have won 3 straight games, and 5 out of the previous 6 outings, after a 1-3-0 start. In 3 of the 5 recent victories, Tampa Bay has won by just 1 goal, but a win is a win. Against the Metropolitan Division, the Lightning are 2-3 in 5 games this season. The Over is 3-1-1 in the past 5 games for Tampa.
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Hurricanes at Lightning odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:04 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Lightning -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes +1.5 (-210) | Lightning -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Hurricanes at Lightning projected goalies
Frederik Andersen (4-2-0, 2.64 GAA, .896 SV%) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (4-3-0, 2.89 GAA, .902 SV%)
Andersen stood tall in net against the Caps last time out on Halloween, turning aside 18 of the 20 shots he faced in the 3-2 SO win. “The Great Dane” flashed against the Lightning last season, going 2-0-0 with a 1.46 GAA and .936 SV% in 2 starts.
Vasilevskiy stopped 12 of the 15 shots he faced against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday, but that was good enough to help the Lightning to a 4-3 win. He has allowed 3 or more goals in each of his past 3 starts, and 5 of the 7 outings this season.
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Hurricanes at Lightning picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Hurricanes 2
Moneyline
The LIGHTNING (-140) are the play on home ice despite the fact Vassy hasn’t gotten off to the strongest of starts. He’s started slow traditionally, then picks up steam like an avalanche and gets better as the season goes along.
Facing the Hurricanes should help Vasilevskiy get on track. Carolina is just 4-14 in its past 18 trips to Tampa and 17-35 in the previous 52 meetings overall in this series.
Puck line/Against the spread
The LIGHTNING -1.5 (+165) are worth playing lightly against Andersen and the Hurricanes, although 3 of Tampa’s past 5 victories have been in 1-goal games.
Carolina is 4-1-1 in 6 games on the road this season, but Amalie Arena has been a house of horrors for the Canes in recent seasons and this will be no exception.
Over/Under
UNDER 6.5 (-105) is the lean here, but go lightly.
Andersen and Vasilevskiy are among the elite in the NHL, although both goaltenders have appeared mortal at times during the early going, especially the latter.
Still, the Under is 9-2 in the past 11 meetings at Amalie, while going an impressive 17-5-1 in the previous 23 meetings overall. Until the Over starts hitting on a regular basis in this series, keep popping the Under.
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