Two teams trending in different directions go head-to-head at Amalie Arena on Sunday as the Tampa Bay Lightning (-135) will be looking to add to their winning streak when they play host to the floundering New Jersey Devils (+115). The total is 6.5 (O: -115, U: -105)Both teams will be playing on back-to-back days. The Devils are 7-2 without a day off, while the Lightning are 3-10.
New Jersey (44-18-7) is coming off a 4-2 loss against the Panthers yesterday, their third defeat in a row. The Devils committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Nico Hischier and Jesper Boqvist each scored once for the Devils. Akira Schmid had a terrific performance with 37 saves (.925%) in the loss.
Tampa Bay (42-22-6) won their third straight game, beating the Canadiens 5-3 yesterday. Brandon Hagel scored a hat trick to lead the Lightning. Brian Elliott stopped only 18 of 21 shots (.857%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Lightning have won both games between the teams this season, including a 4-3 (SO) victory in their most recent meeting on March 16, their fourth straight win against New Jersey. Steven Stamkos led Tampa Bay with three points (2G 1A). Timo Meier (2G 0A) and Hischier (0G 2A) each had two points to lead New Jersey. Andrei Vasilevskiy got the win, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914%).
FACING OFF
New Jersey is averaging 3.46 goals per game for the season, seventh in the NHL, and they are taking on a Lightning team that is allowing 3.01 goals a game (13th). Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has found the net 3.47 times a game on average, sixth in the league, and the Devils are holding opponents to 2.68 goals per game (4th).
New Jersey averages more shots (34.3) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth. Tampa Bay’s average of 32.2 attempts ranks 13th. Expect multiple power play opportunities for the Devils, as the Lightning have been penalized 4.44 times a game, fourth-most in the NHL, for an average of 11.71 minutes (third-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.36 penalties (3rd-fewest in the league) and 7.65 penalty minutes a game (4th-fewest). The Lightning’s 25.73% power play percentage is the third-best in the league, while the Devils rank 19th with a conversion rate of 20.73%. When it comes to penalty killing, New Jersey has the league’s 11th-ranked PK% at 81.82%, while Tampa Bay is 16th at 79.55%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 81 points this season, Jack Hughes is the top skater for the Devils. He is among the league leaders with 37 goals (10th) and has added 44 assists. In the net, Vitek Vanecek (28-8-3) is New Jersey’s top goaltender. He has a 2.52 GAA and a .908% save percentage.
Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 99 points (3rd in the league). He has 27 goals and 72 assists (2nd) in 70 games. Vasilevskiy (31-17-4) is the top goalie for Tampa Bay with a goals against average of 2.67. He has a save percentage of .914%.
HOME AND AWAY
New Jersey is 25-5-4 on the road this season. Tampa Bay is 25-6-5 at Amalie Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
TB Lightning (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
