Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are both likely to make the playoffs and are among preseason picks as NHL teams that might win the Stanley Cup, and they’ll likely have to go through each other to get to the Eastern Conference finals this season. Continue reading below to get our best Bruins vs Lighting game Prediction and much more.
Monday’s NHL Schedule
Our Bruins vs Lightning game prediction will analyze this heavyweight matchup that is the highlight of Monday’s NHL schedule and find the best NHL picks today.
The Boston Bruins are the best team in the NHL standings right now, while the Tampa Bay Lightning are riding a four-game winning streak.
Must-watch Hockey
This is must-watch hockey, and we’ll get you ready for puck drop, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
You can watch this game on NHLPP or ESPN+. Make sure to check out the NHL injury report before betting!
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds Breakdown
The odds for our Bruins vs Lightning game prediction are very close.
Moneyline
The Lightning odds on the moneyline are listed between -103 and -115, while the Bruins are listed from -105 and -113. The Bruins are 16-2 on the moneyline, while the Lightning are 11-7 on the moneyline.
Total
The total goals line is set at 6. The over has odds ranging from -105 and -114 odds, while the under is listed between -106 and -115. Boston has a 9-9 over/under record, while Tampa Bay is 9-8 over/under.
Depending on your sportsbook of choice, you’ll find the spread NHL odds with either team listed at -1.5. However, the Lightning are listed at -1.5 more often than not.
Puck line
Tampa Bay is listed at -1.5 goals, with odds ranging from +200 and +225, while Boston is listed at +1.5 between -275 and -300.
The Bruins are 15-3 against the spread so far this season, while the Lightning are 7-11 ATS.
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are the best team in the NHL, entering Monday night with a 16-2-0 record.
Six-game Winning Streak
The Bruins are currently on a six-game winning streak and will be looking to match their season-best seven-game winning streak with a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In their last game, the Bruins defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-1 on November 19th.
David Pastrnak scored twice, Charlie McAvoy scored four assists, and Jake DeBrusk, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and Taylor Hall scored for the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman made seventeen saves in the win.
Pastrnak’s Leadership
David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with twenty-eight points (eleven goals, seventeen assists) and is one of a few players in this game whom you’ll find among the leaders in NHL player stats.
There should be no question about who starts for the Bruins against the Lightning. Linus Ullmark has been outstanding in 2022-23. Ullmark has a 12-1-0, with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.
Bruins’ Stats
The Boston Bruins stats are very impressive so far this season. The Bruins are averaging 4.11 goals per game and 2.06 goals against per game.
The Bruins’ special teams are amongst the elite in the league: the power play is converting on 28.8% of their chances, while the penalty killers have killed off 89.6% of Boston’s penalties.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning can hold their own in this heavyweight Atlantic Division matchup. The Lightning have an 11-6-1 record and are currently on a four-game winning streak.
Despite a slow start, the Lightning are still the same team that has won the Eastern Conference three years in a row and won two Stanley Cups.
In Tampa Bay’s last matchup, they defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime on November 19th. Nikita Kucherov, Alex Killorn, and Steven Stamkos scored for the Lightning, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made thirty saves.
Expectations for Vasilevskiy
We expect Vasilevskiy to get the start against the Bruins because you need to start your best goalie to beat the best team.
Vasilevskiy is better than his record and is overcoming a slow start from the Lighting this season. Vasilevskiy has a 7-5-1 record, with a 2.84 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.
Nikita Kucherov leads the Tampa Bay Lightning in scoring with twenty-eight points, ties with Pastrnak in the NHL players stats.
Lightning’s Team Stats
Tampa Bay’s team stats are impressive; just don’t compare them to Boston’s. The Lightning are averaging 3.39 goals per game and 3.09 goals against for game.
As expected, the Tampa Bay Lightning powerplay is very good, converting on 24.7% of their opportunities.
The Lightning penalty kill is a weakness and a significant factor in our Bruins vs Lightning game prediction. Tampa Bay is only killing off 79.7% of their opportunities, giving up fourteen powerplay goals this season.
Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick and Prediction
Of all the NHL games on the schedule, this is the best game to watch but the most challenging game to predict. With two teams that are fairly evenly matched on the ice and the NHL odds, and two of the best goalies and power plays in the league going head-to-head, we need to find something that will tip the scales.
The Tampa Bay Lighting penalty kill will be a liability against the Bruins’ powerplay. Boston will score on the powerplay; it’s a matter of how disciplined Tampa Bay can be.
Among our Bruins vs Lightning game predictions is taking Boston on the moneyline. We think the Boston Bruins’ powerplay will be the difference maker in this game and give the Bruins the edge and a one-goal game.
Tampa Bay will need a very strong game from their penalty killers and Vasilevskiy in the net to keep the Bruins’ powerplay from scoring.
The easiest thing for the Lightning to do is to stay out of the penalty box. However, they will give Boston’s powerplay a couple of opportunities, and one powerplay opportunity is all the Bruins need to capitalize.
Who to Bet On?
We’re taking the Bruins on the moneyline to extend their winning streak to seven.
However, the Bruins are +1.5 against the spread. Our Bruins vs Lightning game prediction is also to take the Bruins to cover the spread and parlay our picks together to maximize the value from another Boston Bruins victory.
Final Score Prediction: Bruins 3 – Lightning 2
NHL Pick: Bruins (-110)
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