Two of the league’s best at finding the net on the power play, the Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice at Amalie Arena in an Atlantic Division showdown. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the matchup, which gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 3.
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Earning 7.5 units for moneyline bettors, Tampa Bay is 52-27 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL in this young season, is an improvement over the 42-40 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 79 regular season matches, 48 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 29 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 27-12 SU at home this season.
The Lightning currently have the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve found the net on 24.7 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 27th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.0 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Lightning have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over their past five matchups. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Sporting a .919 save percentage and 29.3 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (42-21-3) has been the top option in goal for Tampa Bay this year. If the Bolts, however, choose to give him the evening off, head coach Jon Cooper may turn to Louis Domingue (7-11-11 record, .892 save percentage, 3.44 goals against average).
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Lightning. Kucherov (97 points) has tallied 38 goals and 59 assists and has recorded multiple points on 30 separate occasions this year. Stamkos has 27 goals and 59 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 52 games.
On the other side of the rink, Boston is 49-29 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.8 units this season. A total of 40 of its games have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just three have pushed. As a road team, the Bruins are 22-17 SU.
The Bruins have scored on 23.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the top-five among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.0 percent of all penalties.
Boston’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 4.8 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Tuukka Rask (.919 save percentage and 2.28 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Boston. Rask is averaging 25.5 saves per game and has 34 wins, 17 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Bruins will be Brad Marchand (34 goals, 50 assists) and David Pastrnak (33 goals, 45 assists).
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Boston is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Tampa Bay is 6-2 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in three of Tampa Bay’s last five games.
- Over Boston’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-1 in those games).
- Boston skaters have given out the league’s ninth-most hits per game (23.6), but that number’s down to just 19.2 hits over their last five away games.
