The Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche meet for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final Saturday at Ball Arena in Denver. The Avalanche lead the series 1-0. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we look at the Lightning vs. Avalanche Stanley Cup Final Game 2 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Avalanche took Wednesday’s opener 4-3 at home thanks to LW Andre Burakovsky’s overtime goal.
The Lightning fell into a 3-1 hole after 20 minutes but bounced back with two goals from Ondrej Palat and Mikhail Sergachev within a 48-second span in the 2nd period. However, G Andrei Vasilevskiy was beaten by Burakovsky at 1:23 of OT to suffer the setback.
The Avalanche, who scored 3 goals in the first 17:31, look to protect home ice and go up 2-0 in the series. They are 10-1 in the past 11 games when playing on two days of rest.
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 4:59 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lightning +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Avalanche -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lightning +1.5 (-210) | Avalanche -1.5 (+160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
Lightning at Avalanche projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (12-6-0, 2.36 GAA, .926 SV%, 1 SO – postseason) vs. Darcy Kuemper (7-2-0, 2.68 GAA, .895 SV% – postseason)
Vasilevskiy got off to a difficult start in Game 1, yielding 3 goals in the 1st period. He was perfect for the remainder of regulation but allowed the Burakovsky goal early in OT to take the L. He and the Lightning are 1-3 in series openers in these playoffs.
Kuemper, who sat out the last 3 games of the Western Conference Finals, made his way back from an upper-body injury, and he didn’t look like he skipped a beat. Sure, he allowed 3 goals on 23 shots, but he really only had about a minute of shaky play. He has allowed 3 or fewer goals in 10 of his 11 postseason appearances.
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Lightning at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 4, Avalanche 2
Money line
The LIGHTNING (+125) are short dogs on the road in Game 2, but we all know that Vasilevskiy and the 2-time defending champs bounce back nicely after a playoff loss. In fact, Tampa Bay is 19-1 in the past 20 playoff games following an defeat. That lone loss was in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Rangers.
The Avalanche barely squeaked by in Game 1, but they got the job done. now that Vasilevskiy has his bearings after a difficult 1st period, look for him to be the difference maker in Game 2.
Against the spread
The Lightning +1.5 (-210) will cost 2.1 times your potential return. That’s too much risk for not enough reward if you want some insurance. Just play Tampa Bay straight up.
PASS.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-135) is the play.
Vasilevskiy has a sub-2.00 GAA in the past 20 playoff games following a loss, and Kuemper has yielded 3 or fewer goals in 10 of his 11 postseason appearances. Expect to see more defense in this second game in Denver.
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