The Carolina Hurricanes face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at Amalie Arena for what will be a clash of the titans. With both teams fighting for position in their respective divisions, this matchup will unquestionably be a high-intensity clash between 2 of the best offenses in the league.
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If you’re looking to bet on this game, we’ve got the best bet and prediction for the matchup.
The game opens with the moneyline evenly set at -110 for both teams. That makes this game a true toss-up.
The point spread has Carolina at -1.5 (+200) and Tampa Bay at +1.5 (-275) which emphasizes the fact that this will be a tight matchup where goals might just be at a premium. The total goals over/under is set at 6, with both the over and under priced at -110.
As we mentioned, this is going to be a close one. Both teams are powerhouses in the NHL right now, so here are a few factors we’ll keep an eye on.
The Lightning holds a narrow 1-0 regular-season series lead after defeating the Hurricanes 4-1 back in their October matchup.
Carolina's penalty kill at 85.4% ranks 1st in the NHL, compared to Tampa Bay's 10th-ranked penalty kill at 82.2%.
Tampa Bay leads the league in shooting percentage with 13.1%, which could prove to be the game-changer against Carolina’s strong defense.
The Hurricanes have had a solid season so far and they’re entering this game with a 24-14-2 record and sitting third in the Metropolitan Division.
They're averaging a hefty 3.4 goals per game, with contributions from star players like Martin Necas (47 points) and Jack Roslovic (17 goals).
Defensively, they've been consistent as well. They’re conceding 2.8 goals per game on average, backed by goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, who holds a 2.5 goals-against average, one of the best in the league.
Carolina’s strength really lies in their ability to suffocate opponents with a disciplined defense and the NHL’s best PK unit. However, their offensive inconsistency — as underscored in a 4-0 loss to Minnesota earlier this week — raises questions about their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities against some of the best teams in the NHL, which the Lightning are.
The Lightning, with a 20-15-2 record, sit fourth in the Atlantic Division, however, they’ve been slumping lately with a 4-game losing streak.
They boast the fourth-best goal-scoring rate in the league at 3.7 per game, led by stars Nikita Kucherov (54 points) and Brayden Point (23 goals). Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has been reliable as well, with a respectable .912 save percentage and a 2.4 goals-against average.
Tampa Bay thrives on offensive efficiency, leading the league in shooting percentage. Their power play is also a big factor coming in at 26.4% which is good for 3rd in the NHL. This has given them an edge in close games.
However, their defense has struggled at times, especially as of late. They’re ranking only 10th in penalty killing and 13th in penalty minutes — a potential liability against Carolina’s relentless pressure.
Both teams come into this matchup with something to prove to the rest of the league.
Carolina has been strong in recent games, going 5-4-1 in their last 10, while Tampa Bay has a similar 5-5-0 record but has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their offensive output when they needed it the most.
Best Bet: Tampa Bay Moneyline (-105)
The Lightning’s offensive firepower, combined with their home-ice advantage, gives them the edge in this tightly contested matchup. On top of that, they’re on a 4 game slide and looking to break that streak and make a statement.
Carolina’s defensive structure will undoubtedly keep the game close, but Tampa Bay's ability to convert on fewer chances should be the difference-maker. This very easily could be a game of efficiency and that’s where the Lightning excels.
BettorsInsider Prediction: Tampa Bay 3, Carolina 2
We’re expecting a low-scoring game that will be dominated by goaltending and special teams. No matter how this one unfolds, it should be a great game to watch tonight.