The Tampa Bay Lightning (34-16-2) play the 2nd contest in a 4-game road trip Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche (28-19-4) at Ball Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lightning vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Lightning just topped the Avalanche 5-0 at Amalie Arena behind All-Star Andrei Vasilevskiy Thursday, and now the sides go from sea level to the rarefied air in less than a week’s time.
The Avalanche got untracked with a 5-3 in in Florida after the shutout loss in Tampa, but Colorado has been awfully inconsistent with a 2-2-1 record in the past 5 games with 17 goals allowed during the stretch.
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Lightning at Avalanche odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lightning -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Avalanche -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (+190) | Avalanche +1.5 (-270)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)
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Lightning at Avalanche projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (25-13-1, 2.52 GAA, .919 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (21-12-3, 2.68 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO)
Vasilevskiy allowed just 1 goal on 29 shots in a win in Dallas last time out, following up his 30-save shutout against Colorado in style. He is 2-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .926 SV% in 3 February starts so far.
Georgiev has coughed up 8 goals on 77 shots in 2 February assignments, posting a dismal 4.01 GAA and .896 SV%. He’ll be trying to atone for that loss in Tampa, but it’s a tall order with All-Star D Cale Makar sidelined with a head injury.
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Lightning at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Avalanche 3
Moneyline
The LIGHTNING (-115) have been red-hot, going for 5-consecutive victories against teams with an overall winning record. They’re also 27-11 in the previous 38 games overall, and 39-18 in the past 57 against Western Conference foes. Toss in the fact Tampa is 5-0 in the past 5 against winning teams, and 4-0 in the past 4 against the Central Division, and that’s compelling reason enough to back the road team.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Lightning -1.5 (+190) did cover the puck line in rather easy fashion in the 1st meeting on the Suncoast, but it will be a much tighter game in the Mile High City.
It’s a tempting play based on the 5-0 win in Tampa in the past week, but I am not feeling it.
AVOID.
Over/Under
The OVER 5.5 (-125) is a solid interesting play.
The Under is 4-1 in Tampa Bay’s past 5 against winning teams, but the Over is 3-1-1 in the past 5 road games for the Lightning.
And Colorado has cashed the Over at a 4-1-1 clip in the past 6 home games, while going 5-1 in the past 6 against Atlantic Division foes.
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