The Colorado Avalanche (27-18-4) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (32-16-2) in the first game of their 2-game season series. Face-off from Amalie Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Avalanche vs. Lightning odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Avalanche enter after taking a 2-1 OT loss Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh. That loss marked their 2nd in their last 3 games but only their 2nd in their last 9, moving to 7-2 in their last 9. Colorado now sits in 3rd in the Central division.
Tampa Bay is coming off a Tuesday night OT loss as well, as they suffered a 4-3 OT loss vs. San Jose. That loss marked their 2nd in a row, and they are now 3-2 in their last 5 and 6-4 in their last 10. They now sit in 3rd in a stacked Atlantic division, 17 points behind first-place Boston.
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Avalanche 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 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Avalanche +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Lightning -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Avalanche +1.5 (-230) | Lightning -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)
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Avalanche at Lightning projected goalies
Alexandar Georgiev (20-11-3, 2.60 GAA, .920 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (23-13-1, 2.63 GAA, .916 SV%)
This is Georgiev’s 1st start since the All-Star break. He was very good going into it with a 5-3-0 record, a 2.39 GAA and .933 SV% in January. He hasn’t faced the Lightning in the last 3 years.
Vasilevskiy was knocked around in that Monday loss to Florida, allowing 7 goals on 49 shots. He was great in 2 other starts against Florida this season, stopping 60 of 63 shots in the victories.
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Avalanche at Lightning picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 3, Avalanche 2
Moneyline
Tampa is a dominant 20-4-2 at home this year with an angry goalie. Not only did he allow 7 goals in his last start, but this is his first chance at revenge from the Game 6 loss in the Stanley Cup Finals. Tampa is too good at home with intangibles on its side.
LEAN LIGHTNING -125.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
Both sides of the puck line are too risky. Let’s focus on a prop bet instead. C Steven Stamkos has 5 and 4 shots on goal in the first 2 games since the break. The Lightning have lost 2 straight, and he’ll be itching to light the lamp. Take STAMKOS OVER 3.5 SHOTS ON GOAL (-115).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 6.5 (-125).
While the Over seems to be the better bet for the recent matchups between these teams, the Under is by far the safer bet for both teams individually.
For the Avalanche the Under is 5-1-1 in their last 7 overall and 8-1-1 in their last 10 after scoring 2+ goals in their previous game.
For Tampa the Under is 2-0-3 in their last 5 overall games vs. the Central division.
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