Heavyweight showdown has Lightning vs Blues

The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the St. Louis Blues in the main event of the NHL tonight. These teams are fairly even in the standings and both are riding four-game winning streaks. The Lightning opened as the slightest road dog at -105 to get the W in the Lou.

SHARK BITES
  • Tampa Bay is 3-0 SU on the road vs Western Conference teams.
  • The total has gone UNDER in five of the Blues’ last seven games.
  • The Blues are 7-2 SU in their last nine games vs Eastern Conference teams.

The Tampa train continues to roll with Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos playing the role of conductors. The first-line forwards are the top two scorers in the league and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Where the Lightning have really excelled this season is when short-handed, ranking in the top 10 in penalty-killing efficiency (82.3 percent), and they only allow 2.6 goals per game. If the Bolts can get on the board first, they have an excellent chance to steal a victory tonight as Tampa is 12-2 SU when scoring first.

Not to be outdone, St. Louis weathered the storm after dropping four of five games and rebounded back to the top of the Western Conference standings. Injuries could end up holding the Blues back, though, as star winger Jaden Schwartz and blue-liner Alex Pietrangelo are both sidelined. The good news for Blues backers, though, is the favored team is 3-0 SU in the last three games in this matchup and St. Louis is 7-3 SU in its last 10 versus the Lightning.

The total opened at 5.5 and the OVER should be seriously considered. Both of these teams rank in the top five in scoring and could explode offensively. The OVER has hit in four straight Tampa games and they average 3.46 goals per game on the road this season.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

The St. Louis Blues were listed earlier today as -106 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while oddsmakers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.5.

Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 3.2-2.3 win for the Lightning. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs St. Louis Blues Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Blues sit at 21-8-2 on the season; in comparison, the Tampa Bay Lightning are currently 21-6-2. Looking to wager on the totals? St. Louis is 15-16 OU, and Tampa Bay is 18-11 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and St. Louis vs Tampa Bay injuries news.

This game puts the Blues, most recently No. 3 in the OddsShark NHL Power Rankings, up against the Lightning, who rate a No. 1 in the latest survey.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the St. Louis Blues' No. 5-ranked offense (3.44 goals per game) against a Tampa Bay Lightning defense that ranks No. 4 at 2.6 goals per game allowed. The Blues power play has clicked at an 18.39% rate while the Lightning have an 82.35% rate on the penalty kill.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

In their last action, Tampa Bay was a 4-3 Sportsbook at home against the Jets. Bettors on Tampa Bay at -173 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (7) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.

St. Louis was a 3-2 Sportsbook in its last match at home against the Sabres. They won as favorites, while the total score of 5 made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors.

Next Betting Matchups

Tampa Bay at Arizona, Thursday, December 14
St. Louis home to Anaheim, Thursday, December 14

Tampa Bay is 3-0 SU on road vs Western Conference teams.away The total has gone UNDER in five of the Blues’ last seven games.home The Blues are 7-2 SU in their last nine games vs Eastern Conference teams.home
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