NHL Betting Picks, Predictions, Analysis, and Probability for Thursday Slate
By Matt Klett
Thursday, October 17.
Tampa Bay @ Boston
Prediction. -120. 70. +100. 23
Goalies:
3-1-0 W/L, 2.52 GAA, 0.921 SV%
BOS Jaroslav Halak
2-1-0 W/L, 1.69 GAA, 0.951 SV%
NHL Betting Pick #1:
Standings and Current Record:
The Tampa Bay Lightning come into this matchup with a 3-2-1 record giving them seven points, good enough for fourth in the Atlantic. They need a win to catch Boston who is sitting in second place.
The Boston Bruins are comfortable in second place in the Atlantic behind a shockingly powerful Buffalo Sabres team. The Bruins are 5-1 and would love come away with a home victory to maintain their place in the standings. Here’s how they match-up:
Rankings:
Tampa Bay ranks 8th in goals scored and 20th in goals allowed. On top of that, the Lightning have the 12-ranked power play, but only the 23rd-best penalty kill. Special teams are important to focus on here.
The Bruins are ranked 21st in goals scored, but 2nd in goals allowed. They are allowing an average of 1.67 goals per game through the first six games. On special teams, they have the fifth-best power, play and rank 14th in penalty killing.
Betting Trends:
The Lightning are just 3-7 straight up in their last ten, but they are 7-1 in their last eight vs Boston.
Boston is 5-1 straight up in their last six games, and 14-6 straight up in their last twenty games at home vs Tampa.
Previous Games and Goal Differential:
Tampa has beaten Florida, Toronto, and Montreal. They lost to Florida, Carolina, and Ottawa. The Lightning are outscoring opponents 23-18.
Boston has beaten Dallas, Arizona, Vegas, New Jersey, and Anaheim. They lost to Colorado. They have outscored their opponents 16-10.
Analysis:
The Bruins have played excellent defense and are great at home. It is hard to bet against Tampa, but Boston has a hotter goalie going into this matchup.
% Chance to Win: Bruins 58%