Bruins vs Lightning: Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Rejuvenated Lightning look to extend streak against Bruins
A glimpse at the latest news, stats, and injury reports will reveal one thing: Nikita Kucherov is back! His return adds to the Tampa Bay Lightning being favored on the NHL betting lines as they look to keep winning against the Boston Bruins, who have lost five straight games against them.
Boston Bruins (17-11-2) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (23-8-5)
Lightning reach full power
Kucherov did not miss a beat as he helped the Lightning down Calgary by adding two helpers. This was his first game back since the Lightning’s third game in October. The former Hart Trophy winner instantly improves Tampa’s offense, especially on the power play.
Nikita Kucherov’s puck movement tonight was in full form pic.twitter.com/LhZmcVVvEN
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) January 7, 2022
The Lightning are 7th in the NHL in power-play percent (PP%) at 22.3% for the past two seasons but were top in the league at 26% for the two seasons Kucherov played (regular season). Tampa is already putting up 3.4 goals per game in their last 30 games.
With Kucherov back in the fold, the Lightning’s offense can reach its juggernaut-like levels a few seasons ago. It already put up four goals on the Flames, who allow the fourth-fewest goals as a visitor. Expect the Lightning to be even chalkier favorites on the sportsbook.
Bruins getting big brothered
It’s a reversal when the “big bad Bruins” face the Lightning. For all their physicality and talent, Boston has been consistently outplayed by Tampa Bay. In their five-game losing skid, the Bruins outshot Tampa three times. They were better on the power play or at least scored the same amount of goals, save for one game.
But why can’t the Bruins beat the Lightning? The ability to finish on scoring opportunities. The Lightning have generally been a top-tier team at burying scoring chances while the Bruins tend to be a bottom-tier team. This is why Boston is only 12-9-2 when outshooting opponents this season.
Taylor Hall was supposed to be the Bruins’ spark plug, but the former MVP has been pedestrian this season. Hall will need to do better than his 19-goal-pace as he and others like Jake DeBrusk and Craig Smith will need to step up to improve Boston’s 27th-ranked offense.
Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Head to Head
| Boston | Stat | Tampa Bay |
| 2-5-3 | Record | 8-2-0 |
| 3-7-0 | Over/Under | 3-7-0 |
| 2.10 | Average Score | 3.40 |
| 19.35% | Power Play % | 26.67% |
| 73.33% | Penalty Kill % | 80.65% |
Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game Information
- Date: January 8, 2022
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Amalie Arena
- Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Live Stream: NHL Live
Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Lines
| Boston | Tampa Bay | |
| +130 | Moneyline | -145 |
| +1½
(-200) |
Puck Line | -1½
(+170) |
| 5½
(-120o) |
Total | 5½
(Evu) |
Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction
The Bruins’ 98 PDO tells the story: the team has the second-worst scoring chance shooting percent on 5v5 and are 22nd in save percentage. Translation? The Bruins can “outplay” and “outchance” their opponents constantly and still fall behind in scoring.
The Lightning have no such issues. They are +11 in 5v5 goals despite the expected metrics putting them at an even pace not to mention their advantage in net: Andrei Vasilevskiy. At -145, bet online on Tampa to continue its mastery of the Bruins.
Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -145
Despite most of their games being lined at 5.5 goals, the under has hit on nine of Boston’s last 13 games. Credit their stalwart defense and offensive struggles for producing these results. But the Lightning are on the other boat with five of their last seven games going over. These electrifying ‘Bolts’ should push this one over.
Pick: Under 5½ (-120)
Parlay: Lightning and Over 5½ at +209
