Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Lightning vs Avalanche Odds
Weekly NHL betting sees the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Colorado Avalanche Tuesday January 12th at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey season long so stay tuned for more FREE NHL hockey predictions.
Tampa Bay Lightning (21-17-4) vs. Colorado Avalanche (21-19-3)
Date: Tuesday, January 12th
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Tampa Bay Lightning -110
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Not posted at press time.
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
Bet Now!Click here to view… NHL ATS Stats & Expert NHL Betting Insight!
A pair of unfamiliar foes take to the ice in Denver as the Tampa Bay Lightning look to extend their winning streak to three games when they take on the high-scoring Avalanche.
[dfads params=’groups=234&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Tampa Bay
With 46 points to their name, the Tampa Bay Lighting finished the first half of the regular season in 9th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Lightning have yet to play like the same team that won the Eastern Conference last year, but a strong second half could put Tampa Bay in a very favorable playoff position as the Lightning are just five points out of 3rd place in the cramped East.
[dfads params=’groups=226&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
The Lightning possess one of the stingiest defenses in the NHL, led by goaltender Ben Bishop. Tampa Bay is allowing 2.36 GPG which is 6th in the league, and the team ranks 7th in SOG allowed. Bishop has played phenomenally this season with a GAA of 2.06 and a save percentage of .924.
His GAA is tied for 6th-best in the NHL. The Lightning have had a difficult time scoring this season which is a big reason why they currently find themselves out of the playoff picture.
Steven Stamkos is having a down year with just 31 points, but he’s notched three points in his last four games.
Colorado
The Colorado Avalanche are the anti-Tampa Bay Lightning in the sense that they have no problem scoring the puck, they just can’t stop it.
Colorado ranks 5th in the NHL in goals, shooting percentage and power play percentage, but ranks 25th in goals allowed, 26th in SOG allowed and 23rd in PK. It’s a problem that’s plagued the Avalanche all season long, and it’s why they aren’t higher in the standings.
[dfads params=’groups=235&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
With 45 points, the Avs are clinging to the Western Conference’s final playoff spot, though they have to get better on defense if they want to stay there. Colorado has allowed 123 goals this year, one of the worst in the league.
Colorado has also surrendered 21 goals in its last 6 games, an average of 3.5 goals per game.
The good news is that the Avs can still score. A lot. Led by Matt Duchene and Nathan McKinnon, Colorado’s 125 goals scored rank 4th in the NHL.
NHL Hockey Handicapping Trends
- Lightning are 11-9-2 vs. the Western Conference.
- Lightning are 18-12-2 as a favorite.
- Avalanche are 9-9-3 at home.
- Avalanche are 1-6-1 at home vs. the Eastern Conference.
- The OVER is 7-3 in Avalanche’s last 10 games.
Free NHL Hockey Prediction
Both teams are playing better hockey as of late, but I think this one comes down to goaltending, something that gives Tampa Bay the advantage.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Tampa Bay ML
Tampa Bay has played much better hockey lately, winning three of its last four games while playing stout defense in the process. The Avalanche can’t keep the puck out of the net, and they have an awful home record against Eastern Conference opponents.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Tampa Bay 4- Colorado 2
We’ll be providing 4* free NHL predictions on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NHL Hockey picks!
CappersPicks.com has Stanley Cup odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NHL lines up for early games as well.
[dfads params=’groups=233&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]