Jimmy Howard wasn't a particularly happy camper when he found out that he wasn't going to start in net for the Detroit Red Wings in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. However, Petr Mrazek was able to post a shutout in the first game played at the Joe of the second season. The Tampa Bay Lightning had no answers for the Wings in Game 3, and they'll hope to re-extend their lead back to two games in Game 4 in Motown.
You can bet on NHL odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Red Wings were only slight favorites in Game 3 of this series at -117, and even though they were the dominant side in the game and won 2-0, we're not all that sure they're even going to be the chalk on Tuesday night.
Detroit is still a healthy underdog in this series, as it's not only going to have to win this game in all likelihood, but at least once in Tampa as well. It's a tall task for sure for a team which has scored exactly two goals in five straight games and no more.
GOALIE REPORT
Mrazek might've gotten a shutout in Game 3, but it wasn't the most impressive showing for any goalie we've seen in these playoffs. He only faced 16 shots and didn't have to take on a ton of really good opportunities. Nikita Kucherov only had two shots on goal, while both Alex Killorn, Tyler Johnson and Ryan Callahan were left without one.
Ben Bishop has been remarkable in this series. Sure, he's allowed two goals in each of the three games, but he's also allowed some screwy goals that normally won't end up in the back of the net. His .939 save percentage thus far in this series still suggests he's having as good of a postseason as any goalie this side of Brian Elliott.
LIVE BETTING
Where the Lightning are really getting into trouble at times in this postseason is in the faceoff circle. Take away Valtteri Filppula, who is 39-25 in his 61 draws, the rest of this team is under 50 percent. One of the goals Detroit scored in the second period on Sunday night came straight off of a lost draw.
The Red Wings did enough of the little things right to win Game 3, and that included going 29-28 in the circle. The Bolts also really have to stay out of the penalty box. Even though Detroit didn't score on any of its power plays, the Lightning felt like they spent literally half the game playing without a full roster due to penalties.
QUICK PICK
John Cooper called out the rest of his team outside of his first line in the postgame, and we think the message is going to be heard loud and clear. Someone aside from Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Killorn will have to find the back of the net in this series at some point, and we have a feeling this will be the game where it happens.
With Bishop still playing some great hockey, we think he'll be able to carry the load for the Bolts once again. Tampa Bay has proven that it has the better of the two teams in this series, and it'll push Detroit to the brink of elimination on Tuesday night.
NHL Odds: Tampa Bay 3, Detroit 2
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker's live betting platform.
Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings will start at 7:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Joe Louis Arena. Game 4 of this series will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
