The Tampa Bay Lightning (6-3-0) take on the Colorado Avalanche (5-5-0) Wednesday. Puck drop from Ball Arena is set for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Lightning vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Tied 1-1 last year
The Bolts secured the extra point in overtime in a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators Monday. That was the first game this season that superstar RW Nikita Kucherov went without a point. C Brayden Point netted his 6th goal and delivered an assist in the game as well. The Lightning are 3-1 in their last 4.
The Avs’ 5-game winning streak ended with a 5-2 shocker against the Chicago Blackhawks Monday. They were on the back end of a back-to-back, and maybe their legs weren’t there after a 5-4 tough win against the Ottawa Senators. C Nathan MacKinnon scored his 5th goal to go with 11 assists on the season.
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Lightning at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 2:17 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lightning -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Avalanche -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (+200) | Avalanche +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Lightning at Avalanche projected goalies
Jonas Johansson (1-0-0, 4.08 GAA, .880 SV%) vs. Kaapo Kahkonen (6-20-3, 3.82 GAA, .895 SV% in 31 games w/ San Jose last year)
It’s possible they stick with Andrei Vasilevskiy, but it makes sense to start the backup here 8 days after his first start of the season. Johansson wasn’t sharp in that one, but he didn’t have to be. He allowed 5 goals on 35 shots in an 8-5 victory. That was also a day after he was thrust into relief duty, stopping 14 of 15 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kahkonen makes his debut with the Avs after they claimed him off waivers Oct. 11. He went 0-2-0 with a 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% during an AHL conditioning assignment. Kahkonen came on in relief against Tampa last season and allowed just 1 goal on 10 shots in just over a period of work.
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Lightning at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 4, Lightning 3
Moneyline
The fact that Vassy has not been announced as the starting goalie tells me the Bolts are going to their backup. So this should be a goalfest. That benefits the Avs at home. Kahkonen has a chance to earn a large role with G Alexandar Georgiev struggling, and he could make a good first impression.
Take the AVALANCHE -105 for a good price at home.
Puck line/Against the spread
I’m targeting C Casey Mittelstadt here, who scored his 6th goal of the season in the last game. He has 3+ SOG in the last 2 games, and in a game I expect offense, I will take the plus-money for CASEY MITTELSTADT OVER 2.5 SHOTS (+130).
Over/Under
Colorado is 6-3-1 O/U this season with the fluctuation in net. The Lightning are 4-4-1, but I expect them to go with their backup. The Over went 2-2 in the last 4 regular season matchups.
LEAN OVER 6.5 (-120).
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