Lightning Aim To Beat Devils for Third Time this Week
The New Jersey Devils are playing their fourth straight game against a Florida team and their third straight in the state. They’ve lost three in a row to Florida teams. Is a fourth straight defeat in the cards?
If you saw the NHL news, you probably noted that Tampa Bay beat the Devils 4-1 on Tuesday, then again 4-3 in a shootout on Thursday. Will the Lightning get the hat trick of wins by beating them again on Sunday?
Devils Looking To Turn Back To Vitek Vanecek
The Devils lost with Vitek Vanecek in the first matchup against the Lightning on Tuesday, then rested him the following two games against Tampa Bay and then against the Florida Panthers.
Vanecek is expected to come back out into the crease to get his revenge but he hasn’t been great of late. Those who bet online know that Vanecek is coming in with a 28-8-3 record, a 2.52 GAA, and a .908 save percentage.
While that looks good on the surface, he’s been fading of late. If you’re looking at the NHL betting odds here, just be aware that Vanecek has an .874 save percentage this month. He’s allowed four or more goals in four of his five March starts.
If the Devils are to cash in the sportsbook here, he’ll have to play better.
Lightning Have Won Three Straight
The Lightning have been on a mission lately, winning three straight as they pick up steam for the playoffs. This is a welcome turnaround for the defending Eastern Conference champs as they had lost 10 of 14 before that.
There is an immense amount of talent on both ends of the ice with Nikita Kucherov, who’s up to 99 points. Brayden Point is right behind at 81 with Steven Stamkos behind him at 70. That makes three skaters with over 70 points on this Tampa Bay offense.
Then you get to the other side and meet Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net. Vasilevskiy is 31-17-4 with a 2.67 GAA and a .914 save percentage to go with it. He has been shaky of late with an .884 save percentage in March.
Careful taking this team with your sports bets. They’re playing well this week but are mostly masking the uneven efforts from their goaltending and defense.
Devils vs Lightning Game Injuries
Devils vs Lightning Head-to-Head
These teams have met up twice already, with the Lightning winning each of those games. Both matchups came this week.
Devils vs Lightning Information
- Game: Devils (44-18-7) vs Lightning (42-22-6)
- Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
- Day/Time: Sunday, 7 p.m. ET
- Devils vs Lightning Live Stream: NHL.TV
Devils vs Lightning Betting Lines
Devils vs Lightning Picks & Prediction
The side is a bit of a coin toss here but the over looks like the best option for your NHL picks. There are lots of quality offensive weapons on the ice here. On top of that, both goaltenders have save percentages under .890 this month.
Expect a high-scoring affair here along with an over.
Tampa Bay is listed at -130 in our Vegas lines. So, if you wager $100 on the Lightning, there’s a chance to win $77. New Jersey is +110 with a chance to win $110 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Devils a 47.62% chance to win, with the Lightning at 56.52%.
Devils vs Lightning Trends
Devils vs Lightning Edge
Devils vs Lightning Results
Devils vs Lightning Game Summary
