NHL Betting Odds & Preview for Tuesday – Bruins at Lightning

The Boston Bruins (41-13-12) travel south to battle the Tampa Bay Lightning (41-19-5) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. in an important Atlantic Division battle, as well as a battle with playoff implications in the Eastern Conference. The B's currently sit atop the division and the conference with 94 points, but the Lightning are within hailing distance with 87 points, and they can close up the gap significantly with two head-to-head matchups with the B's this week.

The Lightning have won the first two meetings this season, posting a 4-3 win in a shootout at TD Garden in Boston back on Oct. 17 behind defending Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy against Tuukka Rask, while topping the B's at home on Dec. 12 by a 3-2 score, also in a Vasilevskiy-Rask matchup. Rask is confirmed for the third installment in this series, while Vasilevskiy is projected as his counterpart.

Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
NHL Betting Online Odds at FanDuel: Lightning -120, Total 6
TV Coverage: NBCSN

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

Bruins at Lightning Betting Odds Overview

The Bruins have dropped five straight trips to the Suncoast of Central Florida, while losing four in a row overall in this series. The home team and the favorite have posted wins in five of the past seven meetings. The under is also 3-1-1 in the past five meetings at Amalie Arena, a good bet due to the magnificant goaltending on each side.

Bruins Current Form

The B's streak into this game with 13 wins in the past 16 games overall, while going an impressive 12-3 in the past 15 against teams with a winning overall mark. In addition, they have won five of the past six games inside the division. While that's all well and good, the B's are just 1-5 in the past six as an underdog, and 1-5 in the past six as a road 'dog, oo.

Lightning Current Form

The Lightning have an amazing record inside the Atlantic Division dating back to last season when they won the President's Trophy. Of course, we all know how that ended in the playoffs against a non-Atlantic Division foe. Anyway, they're a sparkling 43-8 in the past 51 against division rivals, while winning 52 of the past 73 (.712 winning percentage) as a home favorite.

Bruins to Watch

The B's continue to get scoring from a multitude of players, which is the way of it for most contenders. D Charlie McAvoy has stepped up his play lately with a goal, three assists and a power-play marker over the pat two outings. LW Brad Marchand has also picked up the pace with a pair of goals, four points and a plus-3 rating in the past two contests. D Charlie McAvoy is also good for three helpers in the past two outings, or 1.5 points per game. And, of course, All-Star RW D David Pastrnak contines to do his thing with five goals, nine points and a plus-5 rating with 21 shots on goal over the past six affairs.

 Newcomer LW Nick Ritchie came over from the Ducks at the trade deadline and has fit right in with a goal, an assist and a plus-1 rating in the past two contests. D Matt Grzelcyk is good for a goal, two assists and a plus-2 rating with 12 SOG across his past four battles. Imagine how hot the B's would be if C Patrice Bergeron was firing on all cylinders. He has just one assist in the past four. C David Krejci is also scuffling with just two helpers and an ugly minus-7 rating over the past 10.

Lightning to Watch

For the Lightning, RW Nikita Kucherov is good for a goal and four points over the past two, as he tries to step up and fill the void with C Steven Stamkos (core muscle surgery) on the shelf. All-Star C Brayden Point has been on point, going for five goals, 13 assists and a stellar plus-13 rating with 30 shots on goal over the past 15 outings. D Mikhail Sergachev has picked up two assists over the past two games, too, while D Victor Hedman continues his steady play, posting 11 assists and a plus-11 over the previous 10.

Not everyone is on fire in Tampa, however. RW Pat Maroon has just one point (a goal) in the past five, while C Tyler Johnson has cooled off with only a goal and a minus-2 rating through the past six. C Anthony Cirelli is also scoreless in the past three.

Bruins at Lightning Selection Summary

The Lightning are the hunters, and the Bruins are the hunted. Based on the trends in this series, which has seen Boston win four in a row, including each meeting this season, you have to take Tampa Bay in their own barn. Plus, the favorite and home team is each 5-2 across the past seven, with the Lightning protecting home ice in each of their past five against the B's.

Bruins at Lightning Free Pick and Score Prediction

Lightning (-120)
Lightning 3, Bruins 2