Tag: NHL money line against the spread ATS Over Under total

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning open the 2021-22 NHL regular season Tuesday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Penguins vs. Lightning odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Penguins are likely eager to begin the new season after getting bounced in the first round of last season’s playoffs in six games by the New York Islanders. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and rearranging of divisions last season, this is their first meeting with the Lightning since Feb. 11, 2020, and their first trip to Tampa since Feb. 6, 2020.

The Lightning will raise their latest Stanley Cup championship banner before the game. Tampa Bay has won four consecutive meetings in the series since a loss Jan. 30, 2019, and has won five straight at home against Pittsburgh dating back to Oct. 12, 2017, although three of those games were decided by just one goal.

Penguins 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 9:52 a.m. ET.

• Money line: Penguins +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Lightning -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Penguins +1.5 (-130) | Lightning -1.5 (+105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -135 | U: +110)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Penguins at Lightning projected goalies

Tristan Jarry (25-9-3, 2.75 GAA, .909 SV%) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (31-10-1, 2.21 GAA, .925 SV%)

Jarry has posted a 1-2-2 record across the last five years in his first start of the regular season. He made 45 saves in a 3-2 loss against the Lightning Oct. 23, 2019, the last time he faced them.

Vasilevskiy was a perfect 3-0-0 with a 1.65 GAA and .953 SV% in three starts against the Penguins during the 2019-20 season.

Penguins at Lightning odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Lightning 4, Penguins 2

Money line

Playing Lightning (-250) will cost you two times your potential return and that’s just too expensive, especially on opening night.

AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.

Against the spread

The LIGHTNING -1.5 (+105) is a much better value. Vasilevskiy has won four consecutive starts against the Penguins dating back to Jan. 30, 2019. Tampa Bay should be plenty amped up in front of a sold-out crowd as they raise another banner to the rafters.

The Pens will also be without the services of C Sidney Crosby, who is making his way back from a wrist injury.

The home team has won nine of the last 11 meetings in this series, and the favorite has won 41 of the last 59 meetings. Look for Vasilevskiy and the Lightning to get it done, although a late empty-net goal might be needed for a winning ticket.

Over/Under

Look at the ALTERNATE TOTAL of UNDER 6.5 (-140). Under a number that high is a strong play whenever Vasilevskiy is in between the pipes. While the Over has connected frequently when these teams get together some trends are made to be broken. I think the Penguins are going to have a hard time solving the defending Conn Smythe Trophy winner, especially without Sid the Kid.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @WinWithJoe on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]