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Andrew Rogers
Bruins vs. Lightning: Game 5 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
The Tampa Bay Lightning almost have the Boston Bruins licked (pardon the pun) as the teams resume their Eastern Conference semifinal series Sunday afternoon at Amalie Arena. Tampa earned a 4-3 overtime win in Game 4 to take a 3-1 stranglehold in the series – and oddsmakers are squarely in the corner of the home team as the series shifts back to Florida, with the Lightning one win away from reaching the conference final for the third time in four years.
Bruins vs. Lightning Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
The Lightning have been automatic as big favourites so far in the postseason, going a perfect 3-0 when listed at -175 or better. That streak extends to four if you count the regular season – and that’s not the only trend working in Tampa’s favour heading into Sunday afternoon. The Lightning have lost just 14 of their previous 51 home games overall, and have prevailed in seven of their last eight games played on a Sunday.
Both teams have shown their offensive mettle of late, prompting oddsmakers to slap a total of six goals for this NHL matchup. The Bruins have gone 3-1-1 O/U dating back to their first-round Game 7 win over the Toronto Maple leafs, but have gone below the total in nine of their previous 14 road games overall. Tampa has seen a major totals boost in recent weeks after a win, having gone above the number in 23 of its past 31 games following a victory.
Boston Bruins
While most of the attention in the series has been on Brad Marchand’s weird penchant for licking members of the Lightning, it’s the Boston goaltending that remains a much bigger story. Tuukka Rask has surrendered four goals in four of his past five games – and while the Boston offence is capable of exceeding that total on a given night, there’s a good chance that another four-goal showing will knock Rask and the Bruins out of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Lightning
There’s just something about the Lightning having their way with opponents in second-round series; Tampa has won 20 of its previous 26 conference semifinal games, and its success in Round 2 this year has it as a slight favourite over the rest of the field to capture its second Stanley Cup title in franchise history. But the Bruins should be a tough out, having won six of the previous eight head-to-head encounters at Amalie Arena.
