The Colorado Avalanche (1-3-0) faces the Tampa Bay Lightning (2-2-0) Saturday at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, Florida. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Avalanche vs. Lightning odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche dropped a third consecutive game at Florida Thursday night behind backup goaltender Jonas Johansson. Colorado has really struggled defensively, yielding 15 goals during the three-game skid.
Like Colorado, Tampa is coming off a 4-1 setback against the Panthers last time out. So far, the Lightning have a pair of overtime road wins, while going 0-2 in two outings at home. Tampa Bay is averaging just 1.5 goals per game and allowing 5.0 goals per contest at home
Avalanche at Lightning odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Avalanche +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Lightning -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-280) | Lightning -1.5 (+195)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Avalanche at Lightning projected goalies
Darcy Kuemper (1-2-0, 3.79 GAA, .890 SV%) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (2-2-0, 3.22 GAA, .893 SV%)
Kuemper had the night off in Sunrise against the Panthers, and Johansson really struggled in his stead. The regular starter will be back in there, and hopefully, a night of rest snaps him back on track.
Vasilevskiy has struggled in three of his four outings so far, yielding three or more goals in three games. That includes both losses at home, as he has stopped just 57 of 63 shots.
Avalanche at Lightning odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Avalanche 3
Money line
The LIGHTNING (-120) and Avalanche (+100) have each struggled out of the gates. A lot of people figured this could be an early Stanley Cup Final preview based on preseason predictions, but neither side has been championship caliber to date. Tampa is going to get it done at home here, but it might require overtime or a shootout to determine a winner.
Against the spread
The Avalanche +1.5 (-280) will cost you nearly three times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk just for a little insurance.
AVOID and play the money line instead.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-130) is a little on the expensive side, but we should see plenty of goals with these two powerhouse offenses. The goaltenders will catch up eventually, but right now it’s all about the Over for both of these clubs.
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