The Pittsburgh Penguins will have to adapt to life without the services of superstar Evgeni Malkin for the next couple of games, beginning with a visit to the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday evening.
- The Penguins are 0-3 SU in their last three games on the road.
- The OVER is 4-0 in Tampa’s last four games vs the Metropolitan Division.
- The Penguins are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games versus the Lightning.
Online shop Sportsbook is currently offering the Lightning at -150 in moneyline markets while the Pens are +120. OVER 5 goals is presently -145 and UNDER is +115.
Malkin will miss the Penguins’ tour of sunny Florida as he has been ruled out for Friday’s contest in Tampa as well as Saturday’s visit to the red-hot Florida Panthers with what is being called a lower-body injury. Still, the Pens head into Friday's contest on fire of late and bring a four-game win streak to Amalie Arena. In their first game back from the All-Star break, the Pens scored at will in a 6-5 win over the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night.
The Pens have been lighting the lamp in their recent streak, averaging 4.25 goals scored per game in those wins. While Malkin’s punch will be missed – he’s scored four goals in that stretch – captain Sidney Crosby has really found his touch of late, tallying six goals in the Pens’ streak.
The Bolts extended their winning streak on home ice to seven games with a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Wednesday evening. Furthermore, they’ve won nine of their last 10 games and sit just seven back of the equally-hot Panthers in the Atlantic Division.
The teams have met once this season with the Bolts skating to a 5-4 win in overtime courtesy a Vladislav Namestnikov Sportsbook.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to back the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins before puck drop in this match found them as 122 moneyline underdogs at Sportsbook. They saw an Sportsbook total of 5, according to Sportsbook.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 3.2-2.2 win for the Penguins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Tampa Bay will face the 25-17-7 Penguins. In totals betting, the Lightning are 17-26-7 in over under betting so far this season while the Pittsburgh Penguins are 18-22-9. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Tampa Bay vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
The Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings have the Tampa Bay Lightning at No. 8 and the Pittsburgh Penguins at No. 4 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Tampa Bay Lightning No. 14-ranked offense (2.66 goals per game) against a Pittsburgh Penguins defense that ranks No. 11 at 2.55 goals per game allowed. The Lightning Sportsbook has clicked at a 18.97% rate while the Penguins have a 83.65% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Pittsburgh won its last outing, a 6-5 result against the Senators on February 02. Bettors who backed the Penguins at -185 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (11) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.
Tampa Bay won its last outing, a 3-1 result against the Red Wings on February 03. Bettors who backed the Lightning at -155 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing Tampa Bay
- Tampa Bay is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
- Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh at Florida, Saturday, February 6th
Tampa Bay at Ottawa, Monday, February 8th
