Much like the Maple Leafs, the Tampa Bay Lightning were stung by the Boston Bruins’ top line in Game 1 of their series and now the Bolts will try to bounce back tonight in Game 2. Tampa was blitzed 6-2 in the Sportsbook game and is not used to losing in its barn as the Lightning had the second-best record at home in the NHL and were 11-4 SU at home vs divisional teams. The Bolts opened as -140 favorites to even up the series.
If Tampa can’t slow down Boston’s first line of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron, it may be toast. The trio has combined for 41 points this postseason and all of those points have come in Bruins victories. The Lightning’s defense was shredded in Game 1 but up to that point had kept scoring to a minimum at home, only allowing six goals total by the Devils in Round 1. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy faced 23 shots in the first game and he’ll need to be in top form if they want to keep the Bruins off the scoreboard.
As for the Bruins, they used a three-goal third period to seal the deal in Game 1 and now lead the playoffs in goals per game at 4.25. Goaltender Tuukka Rask was solid in the first game, stopping 34 shots and making key saves when the Lightning made a late surge. Bettors who think the Bruins will roll again tonight will be excited to know that Boston is 6-1 SU in its last seven games in Tampa Bay and outscored the Bolts 17-10 in those contests.
The total opened at 6 and the OVER could be a profitable angle in this contest. Both of these teams average over 3.5 goals per game in the postseason and the OVER has hit in four of the Lightning’s last five games at home with an average combined score of 7.8 goals per game.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you're backing the visiting Boston Bruins in this one, they were listed earlier today as underdogs of +138 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those OVER/UNDER total betting saw the number open in the area of 6, depending on the book.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 3.1-2.6 result in favor of the Lightning. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Boston Bruins have seen them go 55-23-12 so far this season, while the Lightning are at 58-25-5. In totals betting, the Lightning are 53-33-2, while the Bruins are 41-44-5. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Tampa Bay vs Boston injuries news.
The Lightning sit at No. 10 in the current NHL power poll here at OddsShark, while the Bruins sit at No. 2 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Tampa Bay Lightning's No. 1-ranked offense (3.59 goals per game) against a Boston Bruins defense that ranks No. 4 at 2.62 goals per game allowed. The Lightning power play has clicked at a 24.24% rate while the Bruins have an 82.95% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Boston was a 6-2 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Lightning. They won as +144 underdogs, while the total score of 8 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
Next Betting Matchups
Boston home to Tampa Bay, Wednesday, May 2