The Boston Bruins have emerged as one of the hottest teams on the pro hockey betting board as their goal scoring has picked up the pace for the stretch run. Further, the veteran goaltending tandem of Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak has been one of the most effective in the NHL. But as hot as the Bruins have been the Tampa Bay Lighting have been even hotter. In fact, the Bolts are one of the most profitable teams on the board in any sport. Head coach Jon Cooper has built a team that plays a complete game on both ends of the ice. Ever since their appearance in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final the Lightning have been expected to return. This is looking like the year!
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins
Date and Time: Thursday, February 28, 2019, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NHL Betting Online Odds at Bookmaker.eu: Check Back Later
Lightning vs. Bruins TV Coverage: NBCSN
Odds Analysis
Live betting should be even on both sides. The Bolts and Lighting are both in good form and while Boston will draw wagering action for home ice advantage sharps will flock to the Bolts due to their getting a more favorable road price.
Current Form
This matchup features two of the winningest teams in the National Hockey League. Each has won eight of their last nine games. Tampa Bay leads the entire NHL, let alone Atlantic Division, with a record of 47-11-3-1 while Boston is second in the Atlantic with a record of 36-17-6-3. The Lighting have gone under the total in just 28 out of 62 games. Lately however the Bolts have gone over the total in only one of their last five outings. The Bruins have gone under the total in three of their last five games overall and has cleared the total in only 24 out of 62 games.
Matchup Metrics
Boston ranks 15th in the NHL for goal scoring, second for the power play, second for goals against and 15th for penalty killing.
Meanwhile Tampa Bay ranks first in the NHL for goal scoring and the power play as well. The Lighting rank fifth for goals against and second penalty killing.
Goaltending Report
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has a record of 27-7-4 with a 2.25 goals against average, .931 save percentage, and six shutouts. Backup Louis Domingue has a 19-4 record with a 2.86 goals against average and a save percentage of .908.
Tuukka Rask leads Boston with a 20-8-5 record and a 2.40 goals against average with a .920 save percentage and two shutouts. Jaroslav Halak has a record of 16-9-4 for the Bruins with a 2.33 goals against average, .924 save percentage and four shutouts.
Players to Watch
Boston is led by a pair of left wingers Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. Marchand has 24 goals, 47 assists and a plus 12. Pastrnak has 31 goals with 35 assists and a plus one.
Right wing Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning with 30 goals, 70 assists and a plus 16. Centers Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos have also impressed for Tampa Bay. Point has 35 goals, 43 assists and a plus 21. Stamkos has 33 goals with 40 assists and a plus two.
Steven Stamkos has been a staple of the Lighting franchise. The team captain was a free agent a couple of years ago and stayed in Tampa due to the outstanding quality of the organization.
Free NHL Live Betting Odds Pick
Tampa Bay has won five in a row over the Bruins with just one of the last five meetings between these teams going over the total. As good as Boston has been the Lighting have been even better. Further, Tampa Bay is a more explosive team with deeper secondary scoring.
NHL Live Betting Odds Picks: Tampa Bay Lighting
NHL Live Betting Odds Score Prediction: Lightning 3, Bruins 2
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