Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Pittsburgh Penguins face the Tampa Bay Lightning with both teams looking to improve on rocky seasons thus far. The Penguins have a 10-10-1 record and hovering around the .500 mark all season, they remain near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. The Lightning have a 10-8-5 record and with back-to-back losses, they have fallen into fifth place in the Atlantic Division. Both teams look to improve in the Eastern Conference and the upcoming game should be a great one.
We have the best NHL Predictions sure to provide a great payout.
Penguins are led by a great defense
The Penguins are having a promising season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.10 goals per game. Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin have scored 30 goals and 37 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Bryan Rust, Reilly Smith, and Lars Eller have combined for 19 goals and 19 assists while defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang have added seven goals and 22 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Penguins, allowing only 2.62 goals per game with only five goals in the last two games. Marcus Pettersson and Kris Letang have combined for 3.3 defensive point shares and 70 blocked shots while Erik Karlsson and Ryan Graves have combined for 2.9 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Tristan Jarry has been great with a .916 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average on 439 shots with 5.5 goals saved above average.
Lightning hope defense improves
The Lightning are having a promising season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.48 goals per game. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point have scored 27 goals and 40 assists to lead the top line but the entire offense has stepped up this season. Brandon Hagel, Steven Stamkos, and Nick Paul have combined for 27 goals and 30 assists while defensemen Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev have added six goals and 32 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has let the Lightning down this season, allowing 3.52 goals per game including seven goals in the last two games. Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak have combined for 2.3 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has struggled since returning from offseason surgery as he has a .891 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average on 46 shots.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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This is going to be a great game between two teams eager to improve in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning look to step up on their home ice but the Penguins look to bounce back from a rough overtime loss and control this game. The Penguins, who average 3.10 goals per game, should pile on the goals against the Lightning, who allow 3.52 goals per game, with Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Penguins, who allow only 2.62 goals per game, should limit the Lightning offense with Marcus Petterson, Erik Karlsson, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Tristan Jarry to make plenty of big saves. The Penguins should win the game and provide great odds in the process as road Underdogs.
Take the Penguins money line as road Underdogs.
Prediction: Penguins (+125)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both teams have great offenses that can easily make this game a high-scoring one. However, with a high total and the Penguins being led by their defense, expect this game to be a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Lightning should limit the Penguins offense with Victor Hedman, Erik Cernak, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to make plenty of big saves. The Penguins, who have only allowed five goals in the last two games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Lightning with Marcus Pettersson, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Tristan Jarry blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Under 6.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
