Lightning vs. Devils Prediction
The Tampa Bay Lightning took care of business on their home ice with a pair of wins over the New Jersey Devils. Is Tampa Bay going to continue its winning ways when the puck drops for Game 3 in New Jersey tonight?
Game Snapshot
29 Tampa Bay Lightning at 30 New Jersey Devils
Monday, April 16, 2018
Prudential Center at 7:30PM ET
TV: CNBC
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Lightning are a -140 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Devils are a +120 underdog, while the total is set at 6 goals. As of Monday morning, 61 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Tampa Bay. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for all the latest information.
Killorn guides Lightning to win
The first goal scored by Tampa Bay center Alex Killorn early in the second period of Game 2 broke a 1-1 tie, while his second goal extended the advantage to 5-1 later in the big period by the hosts in the 5-3 victory. Killorn totaled 15 goals and 32 assists during the regular season in 82 games and he also scored a goal in Game 1 of this series. This is his second two-goal game of the season, while he has also recorded a four-assist game. The fifth-year player set a career-high in points this season as a valuable contributor to the NHL’s best offense.
Stamkos looking healthy again
While Steven Stamkos said before the playoffs started that he would ‘never feel 100 percent again’, the Tampa Bay star center has looked fine in the first two games of the postseason after missing the final three games of the regular season with a leg injury. He played 17:02 in the opener and 15-56 in Game 2, accounting for an assist in each contest. Stamkos racked up 27 goals and 59 assists in 78 games played this season, so as long as he is healthy he will continue to be a leader as the Lightning have their sights set on hoisting the Stanley Cup trophy.
NHL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Lightning are 4-0 in their last four conference quarterfinal games. Tampa Bay is 5-1 in its last six games versus the Eastern Conference. The Lightning are 5-16 in their last 21 meetings in New Jersey.
New Jersey
The over is 2-0-2 in the last four Devils conference quarterfinal games. The home team is 16-5 in the last 21 meetings. The over is 6-1 in the last seven New Jersey games played on one day of rest.
Prediction:
The home team has dominated this series for many years, but I just can’t pick the Devils here. Tampa Bay is by far the better team here and it will be motivated to make quick work here in order to get some rest before the conference semifinal round. Keep rolling with the Lightning.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING -140