This is a tough test for Pittsburgh, heading out on the road for Game 3 after splitting the first two games at home -- and they're favored here. Pittsburgh rookie goalie Matt Murray has allowed five goals on 41 shots in the series, leading to speculation that veteran Marc-Andre Fleury may replace him for Game 3. They face a talented Tampa Bay team that is the defending Eastern Conference champion. The Lightening are #12 in the NHL in goals scored, fifth in goals allowed and seventh in penalty killing. They lost top goalie Ben Bishop, but talented backup Andrei Vasilevskiy has stopped 63-of-67 shots since coming on for Bishop in the first period of Game 1. Defenseman Anton Stralman (broken fibula) returned to the lineup Monday for the first time in more than seven weeks and notched a goal in the first period. The Lightning also expect to get right wing Ryan Callahan back after he missed Game 2 with the flu. Tampa Bay is on a 66-31 run at home, including 5-1 in the playoffs outscoring opponents by a 20-10 count, and the Lightning is yet to lose consecutive games this postseason. The wagering value is on the home team to win the game or lose by just one goal. Take Tampa Bay on the puckline.
This pick was released to clients on May 18, 2024 at 10:27AM ET.
NHL
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay
May 18, 2016
8:15 PM Eastern
1 unit on Tampa Bay +1.5 goals -255 (puckline) (risk 1 to return 1.39)
Result:
LOSS
LOSS
TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF SPORTS BETTING
Get my free NHL picks and predictions.
Join 412,083 Subscribers!