Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Odds and Picks
Four regulation losses in five games toward the end of February left the people in the Steel City looking at the Pittsburgh Penguins standings and thinking this may be the year that their winning streak ended. But after Pittsburgh beat St. Louis 3-2 in overtime last Saturday, the Penguins have quickly built up momentum with wins over Tampa Bay and Nashville.
The NHL schedule shows the Lightning have played OK hockey over the past few weeks, compiling a 5-3-2 record. Tampa Bay is solidly in third place in the Atlantic Division and would need a total collapse to miss out on the playoffs. Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning odds show that the Lightning is one of the best teams in the league at home, compiling a record of 22-5-3.
Tampa Bay will want to get one back against the Penguins, who beat them by four goals earlier in the week.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
NHL odds show that Tampa Bay is a -165 favorite to beat Pittsburgh. The Penguins are +140 on the moneyline. The over/under has been set at 6.5 goals.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Matchup Information
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Location of the Game: Amalia Arena, Tampa Bay, FL.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 7:00 PM ET.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
Penguins starting to show signs of improvement with Jarry
Getting Tristan Jarry off the NHL injury report was a big deal for Pittsburgh. The Penguins were forced to play much of the regular season without their regular goaltender. While Jarry has won two of his four starts since returning, Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning odds show that he still has room for improvement as he works back into the regular rotation.
The Penguins have had their issues as road underdogs this season. Pittsburgh hasn’t beaten any of the NHL teams favored over it on the road since Nov .11. The Penguins have seen the over go 5-4-1 over their past ten games.
NHL player stats show that Sidney Crosby once again leads the team in scoring, scoring 27 goals and handing out 45 assists. Evgeni Malkin also still produces more than a point per game, scoring 23 goals and giving out 39 assists.
Lightning still aren’t a team you want to mess with
Looking at a recent Tampa Bay Lightning score may point to signs that the Lightning is headed toward a quick decline. Tampa Bay has lost five of its past seven games, but every team suffers through a stretch like this. More concerning for the Lightning is how it is playing defense right now.
Tampa Bay has allowed four or more goals in four of the seven games during that stretch. Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is seventh in the league in save percentage at .919 and has a 2.56 goals-against average. Nikita Kucherov has led the Tampa Bay attack, putting up 86 points, which includes 23 goals.
When it comes to Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning odds, recent results show Tampa Bay has struggled to produce. The Lightning has lost four of the past six games they were a -120 favorite or better. Over the past ten games, NHL expert picks show the over has gone 5-5.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Picks
This is one of those NHL games that are likely to produce fireworks. Pittsburgh just put up seven goals against Tampa Bay earlier this week, and the Lightning will be itching for revenge. When the Penguins are capable of slowing the game down, they usually don’t. Pittsburgh will leave some holes in its defense on the road and get caught napping.
This game should go comfortably over the total. When it comes to the NHL standings, this is a game where both teams would like to add points, but the Penguins are the more desperate side.
Pittsburgh is sitting in the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. While Pittsburgh has four games in hand on the Islanders, the Penguins can’t afford to give away points.
The Penguins will surprise people making NHL picks and grab a road win.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information@InsidersBetDigfree betting picks.
