The Tampa Bay Lightning (39-16-6) travel to meet the Carolina Hurricanes (41-15-6) at PNC Arena Tuesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Lightning vs. Hurricanes odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Lightning were felled 2-1 at home by the New York Rangers Saturday. That snapped a two-game win streak. The Under has connected in five consecutive outings for Tampa Bay.
The Hurricanes won the only previous meeting of these two clubs this season when they took a 2-1 decision in overtime Nov. 9. Like Tampa Bay, Carolina lost its most recent game to the Rangers when they fell 2-0 in Raleigh Sunday.
- Money line: Lightning -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | Hurricanes -117 (bet $117 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lightning +1.5 (-250) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
Lightning at Hurricanes projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (32-12-4, 2.36 GAA, .919 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Frederik Andersen (30-10-2, 2.06 GAA, .928 SV%, 3 SO)
Vasilevskiy has allowed a total of 4 goals on 88 shots across his previous three outings, winning two of the starts. He stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced in that Nov. 9 loss at home to Carolina in OT.
Andersen has dropped three of his four outings in March, although it’s mostly due to a lack of offensive support. Carolina hopes to have helped the offense with the acquisition of LW Max Domi Monday. Andersen is 1-3-0 with a 2.29 GAA and .910 SV% in four March outings.
Lightning at Hurricanes odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Lightning 2
Money line
The HURRICANES (-117) are at home looking to get back on track, and it’s never easy trying to push past the Lightning. These teams are rather evenly matched, however, with the Hurricanes winning three of the past seven meetings.
Against the spread
The Lightning +1.5 (-250) will cost you two and a half times your potential return, and that’s risky business despite the fact the road team is 6-1 in the past seven meetings between these two teams. Six of the last nine meetings have been decided by 1 goal, too. However, stick with the money line and AVOID the puck line.
Over/Under
The UNDER 5.5 (-105) is the lean.
The Carolina offense has been flagging lately, and facing Vasilevskiy is certainly not going to be a cure for its ills. The Under is 7-1 in the past eight meetings in this series, too. Look for plenty of defense, and a lot of flashy saves.