Atlantic Division rivals enjoying lengthy win streaks clash Thursday as the Tampa Bay Lightning (30-15-1) play host to the league-leading Boston Bruins (38-5-4).
The Lightning rebounded from consecutive losses with a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday to extend their home win streak to 10 games. The Bruins kicked off a five-game road trip with Tuesday’s 4-2 win in Montreal and are gunning for an eighth straight victory away from home. The Bruins have also tallied five straight wins over the Lightning and are unbeaten in four straight visits to Tampa.
Latest Betting Notes: Bruins
The Bruins faced stiff opposition in this week’s visit to Montreal. Forced to overcome an early 1-0 deficit, the Bruins needed a Patrice Bergeron goal in the dying minutes to seal a 4-2 win and extend their current overall win streak to six games.
While Tuesday’s win was hard-fought, the Bruins have enjoyed steady performances in their own end of the ice during their current 6-0 run. The club has surrendered just four total goals over its past five contests and has given up two goals or less in nine of its past 11 outings.
Goaltender Linus Ullmark has played a huge role in the team’s success. Thursday’s projected starter set an NHL record for the speediest run to 25 wins with Sunday’s 4-0 shutout victory over San Jose, and has allowed just 11 goals while recording seven straight road victories.
Up front, David Pastrnak continued to set the pace with a goal and three assists in Montreal, and has potted 12 goals and 19 assists over his past 10 games.
Latest Betting Notes: Lightning
The Lightning also faced a tough test on the opening date of their current homestand. Losers in the final two contests of last week’s five-game road trip, the Lightning needed a third-period rally to get past the Wild in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory.
However, finding ways to win at home is nothing new for the Bolts, who have limited opponents to two or fewer goals on seven occasions during their current 10-game win streak at Amalie Arena. They trail only Boston and Toronto with 18 home victories on the season.
Steven Stamkos emerged as the hero in Tuesday’s victory. The Lightning captain potted the game-winner with less than five minutes remaining and has now recorded 13 points during a nine-game points streak, including six goals in his past four outings.
Bruins Player Prop: David Krejci At Least 1 Point
David Krejci has continued to defy Father Time during an impressive points streak on the road. With a goal and an assist in Tuesday’s win in Montreal, Krejci has now picked up two goals and eight points over his past four away appearances, and should not be overlooked as a -122 wager to tally at least one point on Thursday night.
Lightning Player Prop: Nikita Kucherov At Least 2 Points
Nikita Kucherov has been a key contributor to the Lightning’s success on home ice this season. After recording a goal and an assist in Tuesday’s victory over the Wild, he has five goals and 24 points during a spectacular 13-game points streak at home. And while he has been held off the scoresheet in three straight home dates against Boston, it is tough to ignore the lucrative +158 odds of him recording at least two points on Thursday.
