Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and the Colorado Avalanche will do battle against Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in an East-West tilt. The match will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 19, and fans at home will be able to watch it live on Altitude Sports & Entertainment.
Colorado Avalanche at Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Colorado is 6-1 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 4.0 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked second in the league so far in this young season, is a welcomed improvement over the 38-44 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through seven regular season contests, Three of its games have gone over the total, while two have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2019-20 Avalanche team is 2-1 SU on the road.
The Avalanche have scored on 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities so far. That mark hasn’t moved too much from last season, when they were ranked 10th in the league by converting on 21.0 percent of their extra-man advantages. Their penalty kill has gotten stronger since last year, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 79.3 percent of all opponent power plays (ranked 22nd overall last season) to 81.0 percent this year..
Averaging 32.2 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Philipp Grubauer (5-1-1) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado this season. Grubauer did just play last night, however, so Colorado might decide to rest him and instead go with Pavel Francouz (1-0 record, .944 save percentage, 1.90 goals against average).
Tampa Bay is 4-3 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors thus far. Five of its matches have gone over the total, while two have gone under and none have pushed.
The Lightning have converted on 23.8 percent of their extra-man advantages this year after scoring on 28.1 percent (ranked first in league) last season. They’ve killed off a remarkable 67.9 percent of their penalties, a few points lower than the 83.8 percent they recorded a year ago (when they were ranked fifth overall).
Andrei Vasilevskiy (30.2 saves per game) has been the top option in the crease for the Lightning. Vasilevskiy has four wins and one loss and has maintained a 2.58 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this year.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- After winning six of their seven shootouts last year, the Lightning are off to a 1-0 start in shootouts this season. The Avalanche were 2-2 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- For both of these teams, the game went over the total in three of their past five matchups.
- Colorado has yet to lose a game by two more more goals this season.
- Colorado skaters registered 21.9 hits per game last season, while the Lightning accounted for 26.3 hits per contest.
