Predators vs Lightning Picks & Odds: Nashville An Underdog To Extend Win Streak

The Nashville Predators (12-9-2) vie for a fourth straight win Thursday when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (15-9-1) for the final date on their three-game road trip. The Predators have been idle since a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders last Friday and have now won seven of their last nine contests. The Lightning are coming off a 4-2 loss to the visiting Detroit Red Wings to Tuesday but have avoided consecutive defeats during their current 8-3-0 run.

Bet On Predators vs Lightning Here

Predators vs Lightning Sportsbook Odds 

The Lightning have gained momentum since Sportsbook as -182 favorites, vaulting to -200 chalk on the Thursday NHL odds, while the Predators have faded to +170 underdogs. The total has also declined, sinking to 6.0 after Sportsbook at 6.5.

Thursday’s matchup marks the second and final scheduled meeting between these clubs. The Lightning skated to a 3-2 overtime victory when they visited Music City back on November 19 and have now taken nine of 11 from the Predators, including each of their past three dates. 

The UNDER holds the edge in recent clashes between these teams, going 4-2 over their past six, with the total failing to top 5.0 in four of those outings. However, it is the OVER that has paid out in four of the Preds’ past five visits to Tampa.

Get the best Predators vs Lightning odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Stingy Goaltending Sparks Predators’ Resurgence

While the club still struggles to generate consistent offense, the Predators have enjoyed steady goaltending during their current 7-2-0 run, with the tandem of Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen combining to allow just 2.22 goals per game over that stretch. 

Saros, expected to get the start Thursday, has racked up a 6-0-1 record over his past seven starts. However, he has turned in mixed results away from home this season, going 2-3-0 while surrendering four goals per game. 

The glaring exception of late amid the team’s uneven offensive performance has been veteran Matt Duchene. The 31-year-old had three points in last week’s victory over the Islanders and has tallied three goals and seven assists over his past eight outings. Filip Forsberg has also maintained his steady pace with three points over his past two outings but has failed to score while contributing just three helpers over his past six appearances at Tampa Bay. 

Stamkos leading Lightning’s Dominant Power Play

The Lightning saw a dominant offensive effort foiled by a hot goaltender in Tuesday night’s loss to the Red Wings. Tampa Bay peppered Detroit netminder Ville Husso with a season-high 46 shots in the 4-2 loss, ending a run of five games during which they generated 30 or more shots on just one occasion.

In addition, Husso’s spectacular performance also ended the Lightning’s steady run with the man advantage after scoring at least one power-play goal, and 15 total, over their previous 10 contests. The duo of Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point have provided the spark with the extra man, scoring a combined 10 PP markers this season, which represents almost 12 percent of the team’s total offensive production this year. 

Stamkos’ power-play effectiveness has helped him maintain a points streak that now sits at 11 games and features seven goals and 10 assists. However, Point has cooled off following a torrid start, scoring just once in his past three outings, and has been held off the scoresheet in four of his past six home appearances.

Predators Player Prop: Matt Duchene UNDER 2.5 Shots on Goal

While Duchene has been a regular contributor on the scoresheet, his shot production has remained streaky. The Nashville top-liner has mustered just one shot on goal in five of his past six road games, and just 14 total in eight away dates this season. Accordingly, he is a worthy consideration for a -134 bet at Sportsbook to tally UNDER 2.5 shots on Thursday. 

Lightning Player Prop: Steven Stamkos At Least 2 Points

Stamkos has remained a consistent force on home ice this season and has produced at least one point in 11 of 12 home dates since November 1. With the Lightning offense starting to heat up, look for the Tampa Bay captain to pay out on +150 odds at Sportsbook to record at least two points on Thursday night.

Predators: Keys to Win

With Lightning shooters stirring from their recent slumber, the Predators will need another stalwart performance between the pipes on Thursday if they are to extend their win streak to four games. This club would also benefit from more offensive production from their supporting cast, including Nino Niederreiter and Juuso Parssinen, both of whom have failed to generate a point over the past five games.

Lightning: Keys to Win

The Lightning must avoid a letdown after failing to earn the win on Tuesday despite firing 30 shots on the Red Wings net in the third period. Maintaining the high energy level will be key if they are to get past an opportunistic Predators squad that has drawn first blood in each of its past seven wins and avoid consecutive home losses for the first time this season.

NHL Computer Pick: Lightning ML -175

Check out more of our signature NHL computer picks, plus our favorite sportsbooks that serve hockey customers. 

Join A Top-Tier NHL Betting Site Now