The Tampa Bay Lightning (28-13-3) and Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-9) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Lightning are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (+105o / -125u). The Lightning are a -135 favorite to win outright, while the Penguins are +114 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Lightning vs. Penguins predictions and NHL picks.
Lightning vs. Penguins Odds, Pick
| Lightning Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +185 | 6.5 +105o / -125u | -135 |
| Penguins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -225 | 6.5 +105o / -125u | +114 |
- Lightning vs. Penguins Spread: Lightning -1.5 (+185), Penguins +1.5 (-225)
- Lightning vs. Penguins Over/Under: 6.5 (+105o / -125u)
- Lightning vs. Penguins Moneyline: Lightning -135, Penguins +114
Lightning vs. Penguins Preview
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning just came off a dominating win against the Flyers to extend their winning streak to 10.
But it came at a price.
Star center Brayden Point, who started the season off slowly but had really picked it up this month, seemed to have suffered a costly lower-body injury that forced him to get helped off the ice.
Of course, Tampa was able to make it this far with Point not serving a major role on this year’s team, but the second he got hot, the Bolts did as well.
So, I’ll be curious to see how they respond tonight to a Penguins roster, which, although it has lost two in a row, has gone 7-3 in its last 10.
Somehow, Nikita Kucherov continues to sneak past everyone, with 67 points in 40 games played, which is fourth in the league, while Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel have done an admirable job lighting the lamp, averaging over a point per game.
I’m still amazed at the emergence of Darren Raddysh, though, as Raddysh was always a fine third-pairing defenseman, who has skyrocketed his way to 39 points in 38 games.
Star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy played last night in Philly, so I’m expecting Jonas Johansson to start tonight. Johansson has been fine as a backup, playing to an .896 SV% and a 4.3 GSAx over his previous 10 games.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins were riding a hot streak until it came across this past weekend.
In games against the Bruins and the Flames, they’ve only managed to score one goal. But I suppose it makes sense, since prior to the weekend, Pittsburgh has averaged four goals per game in the calendar year.
Sometimes I wonder when Sidney Crosby is going to slow down – if at all. He’s 38 years old and is still averaging over a point per game, on pace for the 14th 30-goal season of his career.
Now, when the Penguins hired Dan Muse as their coach, I admit – I had no idea who he was. But he’s gotten his boys to play. Since January 1, the Pens are playing to a sixth-best 56.9 xGF%, as well as a third-best 2.22 xGA/60 at 5-on-5 play.
Their power play is also buzzing, scoring at a 28.6% clip and converting on the penalty kill at a seventh-best 82.7% rate.
What I also think is funny is how well Stuart Skinner has done since the Penguins acquired him.
I’ve ripped Skinner for a long time while he was with the Oilers, calling him a backup at best, and here he is, playing to a .949 SV% in his past four games. We’ll see how long that lasts, but I’m happy that he’s doing well.
Lightning vs. Penguins Prediction
Who tailed me last night when I picked the Flyers to beat the Lightning?
Yeah… I’m sorry about that.
And I won’t blame you if you roll your eyes at what I’m about to say, but I think this is a good opportunity to fade them once more.
Yes, the Lightning have won 10 in a row. Yes, they’ve been among the best 5-on-5 teams in the past month. Yes, their power play has gone haywire.
But they’ll be missing two key players tonight – Vasilevskiy and Point.
With Pittsburgh’s well drying up in the past two games, I think there’s a real opportunity here for the Penguins to get back on the hump.
Not just that, it’s a plus-money for a team that’s decent at home. And while I know that Tampa is red hot on the road, I think the odds are stacked against the Bolts.
Famous last words. But let’s ride.
Pick: Penguins ML (+114)
