Stars vs. Lightning Game 2 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
A low-scoring affair in Game 1 has the Dallas Stars three games away from a Stanley Cup. Dallas played a near perfect game Saturday night, winning 4-1 with some timely offensive goals and a full 60 minutes of stout defensive play.
But the Tampa Lightning aren’t in unfamiliar territory. The Bolts dropped Game 1 of their Second Round series against the Boston Bruins and went on to win four straight games. Game 2 goes Monday night, and it’s likely Tampa answers back in a big way.
Stars vs. Lightning Betting Analysis
The Stars have won six of their last seven games while allowing just 1.85 goals against per game. On the other hand, Tampa Bay’s eight-game win streak with Brayden Point in the lineup ended Saturday.
While the total pushed in Game 1, the over has still hit in 14 of the last 19 Dallas–Tampa Bay meetings. With both teams averaging three goals per game in the NHL bubble, it’d be wise to lean taking the over in Game 2 — especially since the total is at five.
Oddsmakers see Tampa Bay tying the Stanley Cup final up at one apiece Monday as the Bolts are -155 favourites.
Dallas Stars
Joel Hanley’s first career NHL goal got the party started for the Stars Saturday, but the key to Dallas’ victory was keeping the puck out of their own net.
Tampa Bay threw 36 shots at Anton Khudobin and the veteran goalie stopped all but one. Top postseason scorer Nikita Kucherov was held off the scoreboard for the fifth time these playoffs, and Point had a bad showing with zero shots on night and a -3 plus-minus.
Dallas’ depth players are continuing to step up. Rookie Joel Kiviranta now has five playoff goal in nine games, while Jamie Oleksiak’s five playoff goals is tied for his career regular-season high in goals. Rick Bowness is getting solid performances from all 18 of his skaters, and it’s showing in the results.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay nearly doubled Dallas in shots Saturday, so it wasn’t for a lack of effort that Jon Cooper’s team now finds themselves trailing 1-0. The Bolts’ third line — which has been outstanding this postseason — was the only group to find the back of the net in Game 1, which is somewhat concerning for this star-studded team.
Tampa Bay showed rare moments where they lost their composure in Game 1, whether it was Zach Bogosian leaving the slot open on Hanley’s opening goal or Patrick Maroon shooting a puck into the Stars’ bench. The Lightning also went zero for three on the man advantage.
Tampa Bay is 4-0 coming off a loss this postseason, so look for a rebound Monday evening.
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