The Tampa Bay Lightning return to the Mile High City to face the Colorado Avalanche for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final Friday at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avalanche lead the best-of-7 series 3-1. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we look at the Lightning vs. Avalanche Stanley Cup Final Game 5 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche stunned the Lightning 3-2 in overtime Wednesday, in what many consider a controversial goal after Colorado was spotted with 6 men on the ice just before the game-winner. The 2-time defending champion Lightning will have to muster a great forecheck because they got smoked 7-0 Game 2 in Denver.
The Lightning HAVE to stay out of the penalty box because the Avs are 5-for-10 on the power play in the last 3 games. Keeping this a 5-on-5 game will be Tampa’s only shot.
Also see: Prop bet payday: 3 prop bet predictions for Game 5
Lightning at Avalanche odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:31 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Lightning +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Avalanche -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lightning +1.5 (-175) | Avalanche -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
Lightning at Avalanche projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (13-8, 2.57 GAA, .920 SV%, 1 SO – postseason) vs. Darcy Kuemper (9-3-0, 2.66 GAA, .898 SV%, 1 SO – postseason)
Vasilevskiy allowed 11 goals on 68 shots in the 2 games in Colorado in the series. He’ll face another onslaught Friday as the Avs utilize the biggest home-ice advantage in the thin Mile High air.
Kuemper allowed 3 goals on 39 shots in the 2 home games earlier in the series. He really wasn’t tested. He may face 39 shots Friday as the Lightning empty the tank to try to stay alive.
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Lightning at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 5, Avalanche 4
Money line
Colorado isn’t a sure thing here. They had trouble closing out the St. Louis Blues last series, even after injuring their goalie, and they had to come back to St. Louis to win in 6. I think that’s what happens here. It won’t be a popular take, but Tampa has back-to-back losses just twice in the last 3 playoffs. It has the better goalie, more experience and a heavy chip on its shoulder. TAKE THE LIGHTNING (+155).
Against the spread
We’re going to PASS here and look to the total.
Over/Under
This is a glaring total. These teams scored 7 goals in each of the first 2 games in Colorado. In fact they’ve gone way over this number in 3 of the 4 games this series. Tampa has to score 3 or 4 to win, and Colorado is coming with at least 2 or 3. HAMMER OVER 5.5 (-135).
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