Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Lightning vs Penguins Odds
Looking for Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins free hockey picks? NHL betting sees the Lightning taking on the Penguins on Monday, May 16th, 2016 at the Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups throughout the playoffs so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Round 3: Game 2
Date: Monday, May 16th 2016
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Pittsburgh Penguins -200
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Pittsburgh -1.5 +155
NHL Betting Total: 5
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Despite stealing Game 1, the Lightning are seeing their key injuries pile up.
They’ll look to take complete control of the series with another road win here in Game 2 against the Penguins on Monday night.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay got a real scare in Game 1.
G Ben Bishop was carted off, which added to a list of key players that are now injured for Tampa Bay. However, the X-rays did come back negative and he is listed as day to day.
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It’s still unclear whether he’ll play or not here in Game 2, but him along with Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman are expected to return at some point in this series.
Should Bishop not be available for Game 2 on Monday, the 21 year old Russian Andrei Vasilevskiy will get the nod. He was stellar in relief in Game 1, turning aside 25 of the 26 shots faced. Tampa Bay has given him their complete support as they have shown confidence in him all weekend.
Tampa Bay also received more good news following the win in terms of Ryan Callahan. After what looked to be a dirty hit on Kris Letang, the league decided not to suspend him. With all the injuries the Lightning have, they simply could not afford to lose him.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh peppered the goal all night long, but couldn’t figure out the pair of netminders for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Penguins held a 35-20 shot edge in Game 1, but as their head coach Mike Sullivan said after the loss, it was about quality over quantity. The Pens didn’t have many quality looks and conceded a lot of open chances for the Lightning which was ultimately the difference.
Now the pressure is really on the Penguins here, as they simply cannot go back to Tampa down 2-0.
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Evgeni Malkin continues to struggle, which is something the Pens cannot continue to afford. Malkin did record 7 shots, but he hasn’t recorded a point in 5 straight games. Crosby hasn’t scored in 7 straight as well.
NHL Hockey Handicapping Trends
- Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.
- Lightning are 19-7 in their last 26 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Penguins are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Penguins are 21-6 in their last 27 home games.
- Penguins are 17-5 in their last 22 vs. a team with a winning record.
Free Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Hockey Prediction
The Lightning have done enough already to be satisfied, but their goalie situation is still a bit unclear right now.
Give the edge to the Pens there, along with home ice as they know they cannot afford a 2-0 hole.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Pittsburgh ML
The Penguins get back in the series as they take Game 2 thanks to some stellar play from Crosby and Malkin.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Pittsburgh 4 – Tampa Bay 1
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