Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Maple Leafs vs Lightning NHL Odds
Looking for Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Maple Leafs taking on the Lightning on Thursday March 16th 2017 at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(31-23-14) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (19-46-3)
Date: Thursday, March 16th
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Amalie Arena
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Lightning -120
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds:
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
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This is quite the tilt in Tampa Bay on Thursday night. Two teams duking it out for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. Both the Lightning and the Leafs trail the New York Islanders by 1 point, but the Leafs have a game in hand on both of them.
It is a pivotal 2 points up for grabs, the winner keeps pace, while the loser’s postseason hopes take a considerable blow.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs took a tough loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, allowing 7 goals between their two goaltenders.
The loss snapped a 3-game win streak for the club, as they hope to either catch the Bruins for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic, or catch the Islanders for the final wild card spot.
There is a lot to feel good about this season for Maple Leaf fans. Not only is the club making a run for the playoffs for just the second time in the last 10 years, but their young superstars are playing up to expectations and beyond.
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From the second he stepped on the ice this season it has been the Auston Mathews show in Toronto. Since his 4-goal NHL debut to start the season, he has netted another 27 for a season total to date of 31 goals.
Nazem Kadri has found playing under Mike Babcock to be just what his career needed. Kadri has scored on 28 occasions this year, a career record for him.
When talking about Leaf rookies however, Mitch Marner should not be left out of the conversation.
The 19 year old is second on the team in scoring with 54 points, and doesn’t seem intimidated in the least by NHL competition. Leaf fans know they have a solid group of youngsters who can score, they just need to add a little defence.
Tampa Bay Lightning
It seemed as though this was going to be a year to forget for the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise, but a run of good hockey down the stretch and they could find themselves in the playoffs, with a chance to rewrite the story of their year.
An injury to Steven Stamkos earlier in the year had many feeling the season was all but done for, but Stamkos has resumed skating with the team and could be back in time for the playoffs, if not sooner.
Should the Lightning manage to squeak into the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, they would most likely match up against the Washington Capitals.
If that is the case, then on Saturday when the Lightning host the Caps, we could get a preview of an opening round matchup.
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2 years ago the Lightning went all the way to the Cup finals, and last year took the eventual Cup winners, the Pittsburgh Penguins, all the way to game 7 in the conference finals.
It would be a pretty big blow to the franchise if they were to follow up two successful seasons with one that ends without a postseason birth.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Leafs are 30-71 in their last 101 road games
- Home team is 13-6 in last 19 meetings
- Under is 6-2-1 in TB last 9 home games
- Under is 5-2-1 in TB last 8 games as favourite
Free Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Hockey Prediction:
Each team has a lot to play for here. While Toronto’s inexperience is a factor, they also have a youthful determination that seems to be winning them hockey games, even when they don’t play as well as their opponents.
Sometimes watching the Leafs feels more like watching the World Juniors.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Leafs ATS!
I think their speed and youth is too much to handle for the Lightning this night.
NHL Free Score Prediction: Maple Leafs 4 – Lightning 2
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