Amalie Arena is playing host to an intriguing matchup as the Tampa Bay Lightning welcome the visiting Boston Bruins. New England Sports Network will showcase this divisional matchup, and the action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 12.
Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Boston (+120) is playing the role of underdog to Tampa Bay (-140) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-125 to bet the over, +105 for the under).
Boston is 20-12 straight up (SU) and has netted 2.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 15 of its contests have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2019-20 Bruins team is 8-6 SU on the road.
Boston has converted on 26.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.5 percent of its penalties.
Boston, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box 3.8 times per game overall during the 2019-20 season, and 3.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (13-6-3) has been the top option in goal for Boston this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, Boston might roll with Jaroslav Halak (7-6-3 record, .927 save percentage, 2.28 goals against average).
Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Bruins. Marchand has 47 points on 18 goals and 29 assists, and has recorded two or more points 14 times. Pastrnak has 26 goals and 20 assists to his name (and has registered at least one point in 22 games).
On the other side of the rink, Tampa Bay is 15-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 29 regular season outings, 17 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 7-7 SU at home this year.
Tampa Bay currently touts the third-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it has scored on 28.1 percent of its extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
Tampa Bay players have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has denied 28.2 shots per game as the top selection in goal for Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy has 12 wins, nine losses, and one OT loss to his name and has recorded a pedestrian 2.82 goals against average and a poor .910 save percentage this season.
Nikita Kucherov (10 goals, 21 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the Lightning.
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in three of Boston’s last five games.
- Boston has managed 29.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Tampa Bay is averaging 35.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Over Tampa Bay’s last ten outings, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-1 in those games).
- This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. Boston skaters have accounted for the league’s eighth-most hits per game (24.4) while the Lightning have recorded the ninth-most (23.3).
