Lightning vs. Bruins Prediction
After dropping the first game of the series, the Tampa Bay Lightning have bounced back with a pair of victories over the Boston Bruins. Is Tampa Bay going to win a second straight game on the road and third consecutive game in the series when it squares off with host Boston?
Game Snapshot
23 Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins
Friday, May 4, 2018
TD Garden at 7PM ET
TV: NBCSN
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Hockey Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Bruins are a -150 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Lightning are a +130 underdog, while the total sits at 6 goals. As of Friday morning, 54 percent of public bets have been placed on host Boston. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Palat double playoff goal total in win
Tampa Bay forward Ondrej Palat came into Game 3 with two goals this postseason, but by the end of the contest he had two more as he played a vital role in a 4-1 victory in Boston. Palat scored two goals in the first 3:19 of the game to put the Lightning ahead 2-0. Boston cut the score in half on a Patrice Bergeron goal, but another Lightning goal by Anthony Cirelli made it a 3-1 game by the end of the first period. Palat finished the regular season with 11 goals and 24 assists over 56 games. Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves on 29 shots to record the win.
Hedman racking up assists
Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman had one assist in each of the first two games this series and added two more assists in the Game 3 win. Hedman did not register a point in the first round against New Jersey, but this should come as no surprise as he accounted for 17 goals and 46 assists over 77 games. Hedman assisted on the second Palat goal and a Steven Stamkos power play goal on an empty net in the final minute to clinch it.
NHL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay is 8-29-3 in its last 40 meetings in Boston. The under is 5-1-2 in the last eight meetings.
Boston
The Bruins are 1-5 in their last six games played on one day of rest. The under is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings in Boston.
Prediction:
Despite the Lightning’s struggles in Boston, that sure didn’t happen in Game 3. I still see this a series with great potential to go a full seven games, so expect the Bruins to bounce back strong tonight. Go with the favorites to even the series at 2-2.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON BRUINS -150