Lightning vs Avalanche Picks & Odds: Colorado Can Clinch Cup At Home

The Colorado Avalanche (71-21-8) have a chance to clinch their first Stanley Cup since 2001 when they welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning (64-29-10) to Ball Arena for Game 5 on Friday. Can Colorado end it on home ice or will Tampa Bay stay alive? Find out in our Lightning vs Avalanche prediction.

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Lightning vs Avalanche Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds 

The Avalanche opened as the favorite for the fifth straight game, coming in at -160 on the moneyline, with the Lightning getting +140 on the road. The total was set at 6 goals with the OVER going 7-2 in the last nine meetings between the two clubs. Colorado is 8-1 in its last nine games, with its only loss coming in Game 3, so it’s hard to doubt the hosts in our Lightning vs Avalanche prediction.

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Tampa Bay’s Home Win Streak Snapped In Game 4

The Lightning had a chance to tie the series at two games apiece on Wednesday but fell 3-2 in overtime on a goal that Bolts coach Jon Cooper hinted should not have counted because the Avalanche had too many men on the ice.

Anthony Cirelli put Tampa Bay on the board just 36 seconds into the game – a dream start for the hosts. After the Avalanche tied it up in the second, Victor Hedman scored to put the Lightning on top again. Colorado tied it again in the third, though, and the rest was history.

Andrei Vasilevskiy was strong between the pipes again, stopping 34 of 37 shots, but the Avalanche were simply too much to handle in the extra frame as they outshot the Lightning 10-3 en route to victory. Tampa Bay, which had won eight straight games at Amalie Arena, suffered its first home loss since Game 3 of the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Brayden Point (undisclosed) is questionable for Game 5.

Kadri Scores Overtime Sportsbook For Avalanche

It was a poetic win for the Avalanche in Game 4 as Nazem Kadri, who had missed the four prior contests following thumb surgery, scored the overtime Sportsbook to put Colorado within one victory of its third Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Nathan MacKinnon also collected his first goal of the series while Andrew Cogliano played the unlikely hero by scoring the game-tying tally in the third period. Darcy Kuemper made 37 saves to earn the win.

The series now shifts back to Colorado where the Avalanche have not lost since they suffered an overtime defeat to the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the second round. The Avalanche are averaging a whopping 5.4 goals per game over their last five contests at Ball Arena so there’s a good chance they end it in front of their home crowd.

Andre Burakovsky (hand) is questionable for Game 5.

Lightning vs Avalanche Pick & Insights

Lightning: Keys To Victory

The Lightning have their backs against the wall for the third time this postseason and for the first time since Game 7 of the Sportsbook round. The key for Tampa Bay will be to contain Colorado’s dynamic offense – obviously easier said than done. If that fails, it’ll take a superhuman effort from Vasilevskiy to keep the Lightning alive.

Avalanche: Keys To Victory

Colorado continues to get goals from its entire lineup, with both the stars and depth players contributing – if that trend continues, the Avalanche will likely cruise to a Game 5 win. Game 4 was probably the most evenly played contest of the series, but the Avalanche still out-chanced the Lightning 43-36, which should tell you just how dominant they’ve been.

NHL Computer Pick: Avalanche -170

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