Lightning vs Avalanche Picks & Odds: Tampa Bay Looking To Bounce Back In Game 2

The Tampa Bay Lightning (63-29-8) will try to rebound from an overtime loss in the opener of the Stanley Cup Final when they visit the Colorado Avalanche (69-20-8) on Saturday for Game 2 as solid road underdogs again at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. The Lightning vs Avalanche prediction has the visitors tying up the series based on the predicted score, as they have gone 19-1 in their last 20 games after a loss in the playoffs dating back to 2020.

Bet On Lightning vs Avalanche Here

Lightning vs Avalanche Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

For the second time in a row, early money is coming in on two-time defending champion Tampa Bay following a tough 4-3 OT loss at Colorado in the series opener.

Not only did Game 2 open lower for the Avalanche at -160 (it was -170 for Game 1), but the line has already dropped at least 10 cents down to -150 or less at some books. The Lightning were down 3-1 at the end of the first period of Game 1 before scoring two goals 48 seconds apart to tie things up at 3-3 in the second. Then both teams went cold until Andre Burakovsky netted the game-Sportsbook for the Avalanche 1:23 into the extra session.

While it was a tough night for Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy – he fell to 1-3 in series openers this postseason and has given up four goals per game – the 2020 Vezina Trophy Sportsbook has gotten better as each series progresses. Vasilevskiy has gone 2-1 in the previous three Game 2s of these playoffs, allowing 2.33 goals per game, which is one reason why bettors might be wagering on his team to bounce back in this spot.

Another is the fact that the Lightning had won 18 in a row off a loss in the postseason until they fell to the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 2 of the last round before winning Game 3.

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

Tampa Bay Still In Line For Split With Better Game 2 Performance

The Lightning struck back from a 3-1 deficit in Game 1 fairly easily thanks in part to Vasilevskiy, who settled in nicely after giving up a pair of goals in the first 10 minutes. He ended up with 34 saves on 38 shots, and the game-winning goal came following a defensive breakdown in OT when he had little time to react.

A stronger start would obviously serve the team very well overall if they are going to tie the series up, as Colorado is a much stronger team offensively than New York and can put a lot more pressure on an opponent. That is why the Avs have lost just two games this postseason, and they would love to be up 2-0 with a perfect road record in the playoffs heading to Amalie Arena for Game 3. Tampa Bay will do everything possible to avoid that scenario.

Colorado Needs To Keep Foot On The Gas For 2-0 Series Lead

The Avalanche got off to a fast start in Game 1 but then eased up, something that has plagued this team a bit during the postseason. They let teams back in games, and that is the last thing you want to do with the defending champs, who have made it a habit to win as long as things are close in the third period.

That may not have been the case in the series opener despite blowing the 3-1 lead, but OT is so unpredictable sometimes and could have gone either way. Regardless, Colorado has to feel fortunate to be up 1-0 after a nine-day layoff, and the team should be more dialed in for Game 2.

Injured centers Nazem Kadri (14 points on six goals and eight assists in the playoffs) and Andrew Cogliano (three points) are still considered day to day and did not see action in Game 1. If Kadri can return for Game 2, that could change the complexion of the Lightning vs Avalanche prediction and give the home favorites an extra offensive boost.

Lightning vs Avalanche Pick & Insights

Lightning: Keys To Victory

While Vasilevskiy’s play is critical to Tampa Bay’s chances to win this series, the team’s offense will also need to find a way to score more goals against Colorado. This should be a high-scoring series, and center Brayden Point played his first game in a month and looked good in nearly 18 minutes of ice time with an assist on the Lightning’s first goal by Nick Paul. Point should be even better in Game 2 and his scoring could be the difference.

Avalanche: Keys To Victory

In the battle of goalies, you could argue Vasilevskiy outplayed Colorado’s Darcy Kuemper even in defeat. Kuemper faced only 23 shots in Game 1 and looked decent in his return to action after missing the last three games of the Western Conference final vs the Edmonton Oilers. But he must be better if his team is going to hoist the Cup for the first time in more than 20 years, starting with an improved performance in Game 2. If you are taking the hosts with your Lightning vs Avalanche pick, you think that will happen.

NHL Computer Pick: Lightning +135

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