The New Jersey Devils will try to make it nine straight victories when they travel to Tampa Bay as a +115 road underdog against the Lightning in NHL betting action Friday night.
The Devils may be in too deep of a hole, but a 16-1-2 run has at least resurrected the possibility of a 14th-straight postseason appearance for them. New Jersey could be a good road underdog possibility against Tampa Bay, who have not defeated the Devils at St. Pete Times Forum in seven straight head-to-head.
ADVERTISEMENT: Betting NHL money lines requires a sharp eye for value and some handicapping skill with underdogs - if you have both, great odds and a generous bonus await you at Sportsbook.
New Jersey’s turnaround started with back-to-back wins over the Lightning (-135), but they have not won nine straight since 2007. Johan Hedberg has started seven in a row for the Devils since Martin Brodeur was sidelined with an injury, posting a staggering 1.03 goals-against average.
You can be assured the Devils will get a lot of attention on the NHL betting lines with their record of late and head-to-head domination over the Lightning. Totals bettors know Tampa Bay scores in bunches and OVER bettors have cashed out in three straight between the two teams.
Tampa Bay had lost three straight until blowing out the Phoenix Coyotes 8-3 on Wednesday. Despite a small blip over the past few games, the Lightning still lead the Washington Capitals by three points in the Southeast Division standings and are second overall in the Eastern Conference.
With Tampa Bay getting its scoring touch back after a short dry spell it could be doomsday once and for all in this rivalry that until now has been dominated by the Devils. Look for the Lightning to dominate on the NHL betting lines for this matchup in the Sunshine State.
Saturday's NHL betting action is highlighted by a late matchup that pits the Western-leading Vancouver Canucks up against the visiting and road underdog Boston Bruins.
The Canucks won 3-2 in the only game between the two last year, while the Bruins hold a 3-2 advantage in the last five head-to-head encounters. Boston did beat Vancouver in their last trip to the west coast and they could challenge the home favorite Canucks with their solid road record.
Vancouver only had five losses at home prior to Thursday’s game with St. Louis, and that should be enough for most to wager on a Canucks victory on the NHL betting lines.
With both teams boasting great goaltenders you can expect a low-scoring affair, and it should lean totals bettors toward an UNDER wager. The teams have only made winners of OVER bettors in one of the previous five head-to-head.
