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NHL Betting Odds & Preview for Saturday – Lightning at Bruins

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read
The Boston Bruins (43-13-12) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (42-20-5) at TD Garden in Boston, Mass. in a rematch of Tuesday's Atlantic Division battle down in Tampa. The Bruins came away with a 2-1 victory in that one, and they ended up sweeping their Sunshine State road trip, and they head into this one with a four-game win streak.

The Lightning won the first two meetings this season, posting a 4-3 win in a shootout at TD Garden, while topping the B's at home on Dec. 12 by a 3-2 score. They were unable to record the series sweep, however, and enter this one nine points out of first in the Atlantic, while holding a 10-point advantage over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's fair to assume the Lightning are going to end up in second place.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins
Date and Time: Saturday, March 7, 2020, 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
NHL Betting Online Odds at FanDuel: Bruins -130, Total 5.5
TV Coverage: Local

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

Lightning at Bruins Betting Odds Overview

The Bruins snapped a five-game losing streak in Tampa back on Tuesday, now they look to square the regular-season series at two games apiece. They're so far ahead in the division race that even a regulation loss likely won't derail their chances of a division title. This final matchup in Boston might not be the final team we see these teams lock horns, however, as a playoff matchup is a good possibility.

Lightning Current Form

The Lightning check into this won having won 14 of their past 18 against winning teams, although of course that includes a loss to the B's on Tuesday. Tampa Bay is also 6-2 in the past eight on the road as an underdog, while going a stellar 44-9 across the past 53 games inside the Atlantic Division. And, for what it's worth, the Lightning have won seven of their past eight appearances on Saturday. While the Lightning have won nine of the past 11 in this series, they're a dismal 11-30-3 in their past 44 trips to Beantown.

Bruins Current Form

The Bruins head into this one with four straight victories inside the division, while winning 19 of the past 26 overall. They're also an impressive 6-0 in the past six games againt Eastern Conference foes, while going 6-0 in the past six when working on a day of rest. They're also 8-1 in the past nine as a home favorite.

Lightning to Watch

RW Nikita Kucherov has been red-hot for the Lightning, registering 14 goals and 32 points with a plus-14 rating, four game-winning goals and 59 shots on goal across his past 20 outings. D Victor Hedman has managed two goals, including one power-play goal and a game-winning tally, across his past two outings while posting a plus-3 rating. 

 On the flip side, RW Pat Maroon has managed just one goal and two points with a minus-1 rating across the past seven outings, or a dismal 0.29 points per game. D Kevin Shattenhirk has posted just one assist and a minus-1 rating in the previous four contests. C Anthony Cirelli is good for just one helpers with a plus-1 rating and six shots on goal in the past five outings.

Bruins to Watch

The B's have had a multitude of stars chipping in, which is why they're not only a division leader, but one of the top Stanley Cup contenders. D Torey Krug has managed a goal with five points and a plus-1 rating across the past three outings with 10 SOG. LW Brad Marchand continues to roll up plenty of points, posting three goals (one PPG), three assists and a plus-3 rating with 11 SOG over the past four. All-Star RW David Pastrnak also remains on fire, going for nine goals (two PPG), nine assist and a plus-8 rating with four game-winning tallies and 51 SOG across the past 13. 

Pivots Patrice Bergeron and Charlie Coyle have been ice-cold, as each have just one goal and one assist over the past six outings. LW Jake DeBrusk is good for only one power-play goal and a minus-7 rating across the past 12 outings. LW Nick Ritchie has cooled off with a three-game scoreless skid, a minus-1 rating and nine penalty minutes. RW Ondrej Kase is scoreless over the past four, too, while D Brandon Carlo suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's game in Florida after taking an elbow to the face, so his status is uncertain.

Lightning at Bruins Selection Summary

The Lightning have dominated this series, but they are awful in Boston. G Tuukka Rask is also 14-1-6 with a 2.06 goals-against average and .930 save percentage with three shutouts in 21 starts at home. Yes, that's one loss in regulation and it's early March. That's how fire he has been. He is 1-1-1 with a 2.30 GAA and .920 SV% in his three showings against Tampa this season.

Lightning at Bruins Free Pick and Score Prediction

Bruins (-130)
Bruins 4, Lightning 2


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