Two teams facing each other for the second time this season, the New Jersey Devils and the Tampa Bay Lightning meet at Amalie Arena in an Eastern Conference tilt. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 17, and fans at home can catch it live on MSG Network.
New Jersey Devils at Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Tampa Bay (-240) is currently the favorite over New Jersey (+200) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Tampa Bay is 39-19 straight up (SU) and has netted 10.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL so far in this young season, is a solid improvement compared to what the team did during last years regular season (42-40). Through 58 regular season contests, 36 of the teams games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 20-6 SU at home this year.
The Lightning come into the matchup with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 24.4 percent of their extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.8 percent of all penalties.
The Lightning, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five contests. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .929 save percentage and 29.3 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (34-14-2) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Bolts this year. If head coach Jon Cooper decides to give him a breather, however, the team could roll with Louis Domingue (2-10-10 record, .877 save percentage, 3.90 goals against average).
The Bolts will continue relying on leadership from Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. Kucherov (76 points) is up to 31 goals and 45 assists and has recorded two or more points on 24 different occasions this year. Stamkos has 23 goals and 44 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 39 games.
On the other bench, New Jersey is 29-28 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 3.5 units this season. A total of 31 of its contests have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just one has pushed. As an away team, the Devils are 13-15 SU so far.
The Devils have converted on 19.3 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully defended 81.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
New Jersey’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five road outings. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (2.79 goals against average and .913 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New Jersey. Schneider is averaging 28.9 saves per game and owns an 18-17-6 record.
For the visiting Devils, the offense will be coordinated by Taylor Hall, who has 37 assists and 23 goals on the year.
New Jersey Devils at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 4-4 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Tampa Bay’s last five outings.
- Over Tampa Bay’s last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 5-3 in those games).
