In a game between two teams that’ve positioned themselves firmly in playoff contention, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars take the ice at the American Airlines Center in an East-versus-West tilt. This one will get going at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 1 and it will be shown live on Fox Sports Southwest.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars Odds
Tampa Bay is 43-21 straight up (SU) and has earned 12.3 units for moneyline bettors this ye
ar. 40 of its outings have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Bolts are 22-13 SU as a road team in 2017-18.Tampa Bay has converted on 24.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off only 77.7 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Tampa Bay has been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game in the 2017-18 season, 4.6 per game over its last five games total, and 3.6 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 9.4 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 29.3 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (37-16-3) has been the top option in goal for Tampa Bay this year. Vasilevskiy did just play last night, however, so the team could choose to resthim and instead go with Louis Domingue (3-10 record, .881 save percentage, 3.82 goals against average).
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Lightning. Kucherov (82 points) is up to 33 goals and 49 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 27 different games. Stamkos has 24 goals and 47 assists to his credit (and has logged at least one point in 44 games).
Over on the other bench, Dallas is 36-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. 33 of its outings have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 22-11 SU as the home team.
Dallas has converted on 19.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Dallas players have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Ben Bishop has denied 25.5 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for Dallas. Bishop has 25 wins, 23 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit and has maintained a .918 save percentage and 2.47 goals against average this season.
Alexander Radulov (23 goals, 33 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Stars.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Dallas Stars Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Two of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 4-2 overall in shootouts this season.
- The total has gone under in three of Dallas’ last five games.
