Two clubs that many consider to be the strongest in the NHL, the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice at Amalie Arena for an East-versus-West tilt. The matchup will get underway at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 1, and you are able to view the game live on Fox Sports Tennesse.
Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
The Lightning are 52-26 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 9.1 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL in this young season, is an improvement over the 42-40 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 78 games this season, 48 have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 27-11 SU at home this year.
Tampa Bay currently touts the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it has found the net on 25.2 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.2 percent of all penalties.
Tampa Bay, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.6 per game over its past five games. The team’s had to stave off opposition power plays for a whopping 14.0 minutes per game over its last five matchups, overall.
Sporting a .920 save percentage and 29.5 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (42-20-3) has been the best goalkeeper for the Lightning this season. If the Bolts choose to give him the evening off, however, the team could go with Louis Domingue (7-11-11 record, .892 save percentage, 3.44 goals against average).
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will both lead the charge for the Lightning. Kucherov (97 points) is up to 38 goals and 59 assists and has recorded two or more points on 30 different occasions this year. Stamkos has 27 goals and 59 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 52 contests.
On the other bench, Nashville is 50-28 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 15.5 units this season. A total of 38 of its games have gone over the total, while an additional 38 have gone under and just one has pushed. Nashville’s 23-15 SU as the visiting team this season.
Nashville has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Nashville’s players have been called for penalties 4.6 times per game in total this season, and 6.0 per game over their past five contests. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays an unhealthy 15.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Pekka Rinne (29.0 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for Nashville. Rinne owns a 41-16-4 record, and has registered a .927 save percentage and 2.33 goals against average this year.
Viktor Arvidsson (29 goals, 31 assists) and Filip Forsberg (21 goals, 37 assists) have been the top playmakers for Nashville and will lead the attack for the visiting Predators.
Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Nashville’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 6-7 overall in shootouts this season.
The over has hit in three of Nashville’s last five games.
Nashville’s attempted 32.2 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 14th in the NHL), and 31.2 in its last 10 games.
Six of Tampa Bay’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 2-4 overall in those games.
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