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It is a must-win game for the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, as they visit the Boston Bruins on NBCSN. The Lightning trail the Bruins for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, so this is simply a game they have to win. Boston has won three of the four meetings against Tampa Bay this season, with three of the four going over the total. The one win for the Lightning came a couple of weeks ago, as they won 6-3 in Boston.
This war on the ice will go down Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden. The game will be televised live on NBCSN.
We'll have NHL odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NHL Tuesday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Bruins are going to be home favorites in this contest. Boston had Monday off after playing in Chicago on Sunday. The Bruins are 22-16 at home this season with 18 games going over, 17 going under, with three pushes. Boston had played poorly at home early in the season but they have been much better at TD Garden of late, winning their last three.
The Lightning had Monday off after playing at home against Dallas on Sunday. Tampa is 17-21 on the road with 15 games going over, 20 going under, with three pushes. Tampa has a losing road record for the season, but they have been excellent lately on the road, winning their last five games. That road success will have to continue if the Lightning are to make the playoffs.
Special Teams
Tampa has had good special teams this season, as they are 4th in the league on the power play at 22.9% and that is without Steven Stamkos who finally might be ready to return to the lineup. The Lightning are 13th in penalty killing at 83%. They are giving up 2.8 goals per game.
Boston has also been very good with their special teams, as they are 8th on the power play at 20.9% and they are 4th in penalty killing at 85.1%. The Bruins are giving up 2.6 goals per game, which is 11th in the league. The Bruins have even solved their backup goaltender problem, as Anton Khudobin has been excellent lately giving starter Tuukka Rask some much needed rest.
Scheduling Situation
This is the last week of the NHL regular season and for Tampa Bay every game is a must-win. They not only have to win this game, they also need to keep winning and it won’t be easy. Tampa has a back-to-back in Toronto and Montreal on Thursday and Friday and then they close out the regular season at home on Sunday against Buffalo.
The Bruins have two games left after this one on Tuesday, as they host the Senators on Thursday and the Capitals on Saturday. The schedule gives the Bruins a great chance to close out the Lightning by winning out and both of the games are at home and the finale against the Capitals likely won’t be important to Washington as they will probably have clinched to top seed.
Free NHL Picks
These teams have split their last ten meetings but Boston has won four of the last five with three of the last four going over the total. The Lightning have had some recent success on the road in this series, winning three of the last four.
This is a game that Tampa simply has to win and even a win may not be enough to get them into the playoffs, as their schedule is simply brutal with the two back-to-back games later this week in Toronto and Montreal. I think Tampa can keep their hopes alive by winning this game so I will take the Lightning and also play the game over the total.
NHL Odds: Lightning 4, Bruins 3
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