Lightning vs. Bruins Prediction
After the Tampa Bay Lightning rebounded to win Game 2 on their home ice, the series now shifts to Boston tonight. Will the Lightning continue their strong play on the road to take a 2-1 series lead?
Game Snapshot
55 Tampa Bay Lightning at 56 Boston Bruins
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
TD Garden at 7PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Bruins are listed as a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Lightning are a +125 underdog, while the total sits at 6 goals. As of Wednesday morning, 60 percent of public bets are on host Boston. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date info.
Point bounces back with big Game 2
Tampa Bay center Brayden Point had a rough series opener as he contributed an assist, but still finished minus-5 as the Bruins rolled 6-2. But in Game 2, Point was a focal point in the 4-2 victory as he tallied a goal and three assists to play a part in every goal of the 4-2 triumph. Point had 32 goals and 34 assists during the regular season. Yanni Gourde, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat also scored a goal in the win. Palat also registered an assist. Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 18 of 20 shots to secure the victory.
Defensemen provide goals for Bruins
The Boston forwards did not score a goal in Game 2, but the defensemen did step up as Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug both scored a goal in the loss. Left winger Brad Marchand did contribute two assists. McAvoy had seven goals and 25 assists in 63 regular season games, while Krug added 14 goals and 45 assists in 59 regular season contests. McAvoy tied it at 1-1 in the first period, while Krug’s goal made it a 3-2 game in the third before Tampa Bay added an insurance goal. Tuukka Rask saved 27 of 30 shots in the defeat.
NHL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Lightning are 7-29-3 in their last 39 meetings at Boston. The over is 13-3 in the last 16 Tampa Bay games after allowing two goals or less in its previous game.
Prediction:
Tampa Bay looked strong and more comfortable in Game 2, but playing in Boston will provide a new challenge. The Lightning have struggled for years in Boston and I can’t imagine the environment of a Game 3 will make it easy here. I’m liking the Bruins at home.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON BRUINS -145