The Prudential Center will play host to an Eastern Conference showdown as the New Jersey Devils face off against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s the third and last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The matchup will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 24, and fans at home can watch it live on MSG Plus 2.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
Tampa Bay (+145) is playing the role of underdog to Tampa Bay (-165), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-120 money on the over, +100 on the under).
Tampa Bay is 51-23 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 12.9 units this year. 47 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Lightning team is 24-13 SU on the road.
Tampa Bay currently has the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 24.4 percent of its extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 27th out of 31 teams, and the team’s successfully killed off only 75.9 percent of all penalties.
The Bolts, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game during the 2017-18 season, 4.2 per game over its last five total, and 4.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays 11.0 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 29.5 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (42-18-3) has been the top option in goal for Tampa Bay this year. If Tampa Bay chooses to rest him, however, they may turn to Louis Domingue (6-10 record, .890 save percentage, 3.49 goals against average).
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will both lead the way for the visiting Lightning. Kucherov has 95 points on 37 goals and 58 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 30 different games. Stamkos has 27 goals and 59 assists to his name (and has logged at least one point in 51 games).
New Jersey is 38-36 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 7.0 units this year. Through 74 regular season contests, 36 of its games have gone over the total, while 35 have gone under and just two have pushed. It’s 18-17 SU at home this year.
The Devils have converted on just 20.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Devils players have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cory Schneider (28.0 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for the Devils. Schneider has 18 wins, 21 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has maintained a pedestrian 2.88 goals against average and a poor .909 save percentage this season.
The Devils will be led on offense by Taylor Hall (33 goals, 48 assists).
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 6-2 overall in shootouts this season.
The over has hit in three of New Jersey’s last five outings.
Tampa Bay has managed 28.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New Jersey has been attempting 36.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
The Devils this season have handed the 11th-most hits per game (22.6), but that number has jumped up to 25.6 over their last five home games.
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