The Tampa Bay Lightning (39-22-6) meet the New Jersey Devils (44-16-6) Tuesday in the 1st game of a back-to-back set at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lightning vs. Devils odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Lightning are looking to rebound after a 3-2 setback against the Winnipeg Jets. Tampa Bay has been uncharacteristically missing a gear lately, going 2-5-2 in the last 9 games. The offense is averaging just 2.7 goals per game (GPG) in the last 10 games, which is nearly a full goal less than their season average of 3.5 GPG.
The Devils blanked the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Saturday, pulling into a tie with the Canes at 94 points in the Metropolitan Division, although Carolina has a game in hand. New Jersey has won 3 in a row, while picking up at least a point in 8 of the last 9 games, going 7-1-1 during the impressive span.
This is the 1st of 3 regular-season meetings, and in a bit of an NHL scheduling quirk, all of the meetings occur between March 14-19.
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Lightning at Devils odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:33 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lightning +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Devils -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning +1.5 (-220) | Devils -1.5 (+160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lightning at Devils projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (29-17-4, 2.70 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Vitek Vanecek (28-7-3, 2.48 GAA, .910 SV%, 3 SO)
Vasilevskiy has been mortal since the All-Star break, and he has allowed 3 or more goals in 5 of his last 6 starts since Feb. 28. He allowed 3 goals on just 22 shots last time out, and that was actually one of his better starts in March. Vasilevskiy is an uncharacteristic 1-2-2 with a 3.99 GAA and .865 SV% in 5 March outings.
Vanecek is coming off a 32-save blanking of the Hurricanes, his 3rd shutout of the season. He stopped a 3-start streak of allowing 4 or more goals, and he had given up 3 or more goals in 5 straight games since Feb. 18.
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Lightning at Devils picks and predictions
Prediction
Devils 5, Lightning 3
Moneyline
The DEVILS (-135) are worth a look, as New Jersey has been red-hot lately, while the Lightning (+115) have been struggling mightily.
In fact, the Lightning have won just once in the last 6 road games, while going 0-6 in the last 6 tries against teams with a winning overall record. They’re also 1-5 in the last 6 against Eastern Conference teams.
The Devils have won 9 of the last 11 games at home, while cashing in 10 of the last 12 against Eastern Conference foes.
Puck line/Against the spread
The DEVILS -1.5 (+160) are worth playing lightly on the puck line, as they have won by 2 or more goals in the last 2 games when favored, while going 5-5 in the last 10 games when favored.
There is some risk, especially against a traditionally good team. But the Lightning +1.5 (-220) are leaking oil lately, while the Devils are at or near the top of their game.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-110) is the lean in a game which should be a bit higher scoring.
The Over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 games on the road for the Lightning, while going 5-1-1 in the last 7 against teams with a winning overall record.
For the Devils, the Over is 4-1 in the last 5 against winning sides, while cashing at a 7-3 clip in the last 10 overall, including 4-1 in the last 5 at home.
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