Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning odds, picks and predictions
The Boston Bruins (13-1-2) take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (8-6-4) Monday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Bruins vs. Lightning odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Bruins have had identical 5-2 wins in the 2 games since suffering a 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The B's have been nothing short of dominant as they lead the NHL with just 2.0 goals allowed per game with the best penalty kill at 91.5%.
Tampa has won 2 in a row by scores of 4-2 and 6-4. It will have to be those grind-it-out, high-scoring affairs for the Lightning until superstar G Andrei Vasilevskiy returns. The way the Lightning strike is via the power play, where they are 4th in the league at 31.7%.
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Bruins at Lightning odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bruins -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Lightning +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Bruins -1.5 (+170) | Lightning +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Bruins at Lightning projected goalies
Linus Ullmark (6-1-1, 2.23 GAA, .928 SV%) vs. Jonas Johansson (7-4-4, 3.40 GAA, .894 SV%, 2 SO)
Ullmark has been solid this year, and he has allowed 2 goals in each of his last 2 starts. He had 27 and 32 saves in the wins. He was 2-1-0 in 3 games against the Lightning last year. He allowed just 7 goals on 97 shots against the Bolts.
Johansson has allowed at least 4 goals in 7 of 8 starts. The Lightning won 3 of those games. If he allows 4 or more in this one, Tampa doesn't have a real good chance to win.
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Bruins at Lightning picks and predictions
Prediction
Bruins 4, Lightning 2
Moneyline
The Bruins will remain poised and stay out of the box enough to take this one. Boston has won 6 of the last 7 against the Lightning, and that was with Vasilevskiy healthy. Tampa is good at home, but Boston's defense is for real.
Take the BRUINS -135.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Bruins are 10-6 on the puck line this year and 6-2 on the road. The B's have only nailed the puck line in 3 of the last 10 meetings. But again, Johansson between the pipes vastly changes things.
LEAN BRUINS -1.5 (+170).
Over/Under
Boston has scored 5 goals in 3 of 4 games, and that's what it will take in order to hit an Over 6.5. Tampa's defense is solid, and the Bolts are really good on home ice. They'll need to score 3 in order for this to hit, and they have only done that twice in 7 tries against Boston.
Take the UNDER 6.5 (-120).
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