NHL Betting Odds & Preview for Tuesday – Maple Leafs at Lightning

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The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the road for Tuesday's Atlantic Division showdown, one day after the NHL trade deadline. The Leafs did mostly nothing at the break, standing pat with what they have. The Tampa Bay Lightning added the likes of D Zach Bogosian, as well as gritty F Barclay Goodrow from the San Jose Sharks without parting with any of their key parts.

The Leafs are struggling just to qualify for the postseason, and could use a strong run down the stretch to get into the playoffs. However, they're coming off a loss on Saturday night at home to the Carolina Hurricanes which saw emergency goalie David Ayres, a 42-year-old zamboni driver, come into the game after top goalies James Reimer and Petr Mrazek went down to injury. The practice goalie, literally off the street, came on and stopped eight of 10 shots he faced from the Leafs in one of the most stunning showings in NHL history. Can the Leafs recover?

Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 25, 2020, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
NHL Betting Online Odds at FanDuel: Lightning -180, Total 7
Maple Leafs at Lightning TV Coverage: ESPN+

Odds provided by FanDuel (IN, NJ, & PA only)
Odds Subject to Change (T&C's Apply, 21+)

Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Odds Overview

The Maple Leafs are coming off that ugly showing against the Hurricanes, and they have dropped three of the past four outings, too. While the Leafs have averaged 2.8 goals per game across the past seven outings, they're yielding 3.4 goals per game over the past 10, and All-Star Frederik Andersen has really started to come apart at the seams.

The Lightning were actually dropped 5-3 at Vegas and 7-3 at Arizona in the previous two games, as All-Star Andrei Vasilevskiy has lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time since Nov. 16-19.

Toronto Maple Leafs Current Form

As mentioned, the Leafs stood pat at the NHL trade deadline Monday, with the exception of a few minor deals. They managed to keep pending UFA D Tyson Barrie. Captain John Tavares has managed just one goal across the past seven games and needs to pick up his pace if the team is going to avoid a trip to the couch for the postseason.

Tampa Bay Lightning Current Form

The Lightning have dropped each of the past two at home, both starts by Vasilevskiy, but he has been a stud overall. The defending Vezina Trophy winner is 32-11-3 with a 2.58 goals-against average and .916 save percentage with two shutouts. He has been extremely consistent, as is evidenced by his 2.58 GAA in 24 starts at home, and 2.58 GAA in 22 starts on the road. While his GAA is up slightly since the All-Star break at 2.73, he is still an impressive 8-2-1 in 11 outings.

Maple Leafs to Watch

D Jake Muzzin has posted a goal with four points and a plus-3 rating with three shots on goal across the past two outings. RW Kasperi Kapanen has posted a goal and three points with a plus-2 rating and seven penalty minutes in his past two contests.

C Auston Matthews has been hot over the long term, posting 24 goals and 39 points with a plus-11 rating in his past 29 games, while C William Nylander is also on a long-term hot run with 16 goals, 30 points and a plus-1 with five game-winning tallies in 26 outings.

Lightning to Watch

RW Nikita Kucherov is on fire lately, going for 11 goals, 25 points and a plus-13 rating with four game-winning tallies across his past 15 outings. C Steven Stamkos is good for three goals, six points and a plus-1 rating with a pair of markers on the man advantage across his past four contests.

Brayden Point is also doing big things, lighting the lamp four times with 12 assists and a stellar plus-14 rating across the past 12 contests, good for 1.33 points per game during the run.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning Selection Summary

The Leafs have won just once in the past five games on the road, and they're 1-4 in the previous five against winning teams, too. In addition, Toronto has won just three of their past 12 tries as an underdog, and they're 3-9 in the past 12 as a road 'dog, too. The Lightning have posted a 13-3 record in the past 16 against winning teams, and they're an amazing 45-8 in the previous 53 inside the Atlantic Division.

While the road team has been successful in the past four meetings, it's hard to believe in the Leafs. They're jhust 1-6 in the past seven in this series, and 3-8 in the previous 11 meetings in Tampa. The under is also 9-3 in the past 12 meetings at Amalie Arena.

Maple Leafs at Lightning Free Pick and Score Prediction

Lightning -1.5 goals (+140)
Lightning 5, Maple Leafs 2