2016 NHL Futures – Series Picks
Looking for Red Wings vs. Lightning free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NHL Futures. It almost seems like it wouldn’t be an NHL Playoffs without the Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning meeting. Cappers Picks covers all 2016 NHL Playoff series – so check back as we’ll be adding more.
NHL Lines & Matchup Insight
NHL Betting – Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings First Round Series Preview and Picks
Revenge is on the plate for the Red Wings as they meet with the Tampa Bay Lightning once again in the NHL Playoffs.
These two teams went 7 games last season, with Detroit never being able to pull away. They led 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2, but never could extend their lead and failed to clinch in 2 chances.
There are many storylines here which includes a potential final series for Pavel Datsyuk and the Lightning could be without Steven Stamkos.
Tampa Bay looks to get back to the Stanley Cup while the Red Wings try to avoid another early exit. Who has the edge? Let’s break it down.
Lightning vs. Red Wings Series Lines
Tampa Bay Lightning-155
Detroit Red Wings +135
Red Wings vs. Lightning Series Schedule
- WED APR 13, 2016 RED WINGS LIGHTNING 7:00 PM FS-D, CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- FRI APR 15, 2016 RED WINGS LIGHTNING 7:00 PM FS-D, CBC, CNBC, TVAS
- SUN APR 17, 2016 LIGHTNING RED WINGS 7:00 PM FS-D, CBC, CNBC, TVAS
- TUE APR 19, 2016 LIGHTNING RED WINGS 7:00 PM FS-D, CBC, NBCSN, TVAS2
- THU APR 21, 2016 RED WINGS LIGHTNING TBD FS-D
- SUN APR 24, 2016 LIGHTNING RED WINGS TBD TICKETS
- TUE APR 26, 2016 RED WINGS LIGHTNING TBD FS-D
Red Wings vs. Lightning Free Series Predictions: Forwards
The story for Tampa Bay will be the absence of Steven Stamkos. The star forward had surgery on a blood clot and will be out. He’s been such a crucial part to this Lightning offense and while they have survived without him, they simply haven’t been the same.
They’ll look to the line of Ondrej Palat, Johnson and Nikita Kucherov, who had the most consistency and production this year with Stamkos out.
For the Red Wings, they have had an interesting year up front. While it’s been an all year problem, it was especially a giant problem at the beginning of the season in terms of goal scoring.
Up front, Dylan Larkin, Henrik Zetterberg, and Pavel Datsyuk lead the way and when you see names and stars like this, you have to wonder what the problems were in terms of not scoring.
Datsyuk headlines this one as this could potentially be his final season in a Red Wings uniform.
Verdict: With Stamkos out, the Red Wings certainly have the more experienced forward group. However, this Detroit team just wasn’t consistent enough to find the back of the net. This will be interesting to see which offense gets things going and finds that rhythm.
Whoever can get it going early in the series, will grab the giant edge here. Advantage: Detroit.
Red Wings vs. Lightning Free Series Predictions: Defense and Goaltending
Like their offense, the defense for the Lightning took a giant blow. Anton Stralman fractured his left fibula and is out for the remainder of the season. With him down, Tampa Bay will look to Victor Hedman as their go to guy in front of net.
He has been asked to play many more minutes, especially down the stretch of games.
In goal, Ben Bishop was a stonewall this year. He led the NHL with just 2.06 GAA. He’ll need to be on his game with the defense missing a key piece.
For the Wings, they just haven’t had anybody step up and be that go to guy on the defensive end. Danny DeKeyser, Niklas Kronwall, and Mike Green all have been solid in the back, but it just hasn’t been there for them in terms of consistency.
They’ll need to get find their own rhythm as things tend to get disorganized in the back.
In net, Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard both split time. After Howard struggled, Mrazek took over and was one of the best in the NHL in the 2nd half.
He’ll get the nod, but it’s nice to have Howard behind him incase things go wrong.
Verdict: The defensive edge goes to Tampa Bay without a doubt. They’re much more dominant and have more to offer. However, in goal, the Wings with two proven goalies helps out a lot. Bishop has been one of the best in the NHL, but if one thing goes wrong, he doesn’t have much behind him to rely on.
Red Wings vs. Lightning Free Series Predictions
This has the feeling of a similar series to last seasons. The Wings and Lightning both have talented players and have some gaps that players need to step up in. However, this series is won on the defensive end. Bishop and his defense is much more reliable.
Despite two goals for Detroit, this one won’t matter as the Lightning shut down the Wings, who have had scoring problems all year long.
Tampa Bay in 6.
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