On Wednesday night TNT will get a potential Eastern Conference playoff preview and a matchup of two of the most popular and respected brands on the NHL board. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a rare NHL team that has won two consecutive Stanley Cup championships. With that success comes the price tag of a premium brand with the NHL betting lines. Players that have been a part of a Stanley Cup champion can verify how hard and demanding the experience is. At the beginning of the experience is all of the extra games necessary to play. Then consider how those playoff matchups are more intense and punishing than the regular season. Thus, fans and gamblers wonder if the Lightning will have anything left in the tank for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Especially after going through the grueling grind of winning two consecutive Stanley Cup championships.
On Wednesday, April 6, 2022, the Washington Capitals will host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on TNT.
NHL Betting Lines at BookMaker.eu
On this occasion, the hockey betting action will split evenly. Fashion that the Capitals and Lightning are two of the biggest brands on the board in pro hockey. Each has a recent Stanley Cup championship. Additionally, Tampa Bay and Washington have been in the championship mix for as long as anyone can remember. Because of these brands, sharps and casual gamblers will not be on opposite sides of this matchup. A strong handicapping case is easy to make for either team.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Overall, Tampa Bay brings a record of 43-18-6 straight up and 33-32 over/under. NHL rankings show the Lightning ranks 9th for goal scoring and 15th for power play efficiency. And then defensively, Tampa Bay ranks 7th for goals against and 9th for penalty killing. On road ice, the Lightning is 22-12-2. Tampa Bay has gotten the money in six of its last nine games in recent action. Two of their previous eight tilts went under the total. Tampa Bay will probably not catch Florida for the Atlantic Division lead. But they have the incentive of playing for a home ice seed.
Specifically, Tampa Bay is 4-2 against the spread lately on the road. The Lightning is 8-4 on the board in Eastern Conference games. On the road, Tampa Bay is 2-9 under the total. In Eastern Conference games, the Lightning is 1-6-1 under the number.
Washington Capitals
Washington stands at 37-21-10 straight up and 39-27 over/under. The Capitals rank 12th for goal scoring and 20th for power play efficiency. On the defensive end of the ice, the Caps are 13th for goals against and 11th for penalty killing. The Capitals are in good form with six payouts in their last nine games. The Caps went over the total in nine of their most recent ten outings. Washington is the likely 8-seed in the Eastern Conference.
At home, Washington is 4-3 against the spread. The Capitals are 7-4 on the board in Eastern Conference games. At home, Washington is 6-2 over the total. In Eastern Conference games, the Caps are 7-1 over the total.
Tampa Bay vs. Washington Capitals Prediction
Tampa Bay is 5-4 against the line vs. Washington in this series. The Lightning and Capitals are 5-4 over the total. At Washington, the Lightning is 4-3 vs. the number. Also, this series is 2-4-3 under the total at Washington.
The Capitals will be motivated by a national TV and home ice audience in Wednesday's TNT matchup. Washington will not be a hockey wagering overlay against the defending champions.
BookMaker Pick: Washington Capitals
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