The Eastern Conference finals series shifts gears to Amalie Arena in Tampa as the Lightning host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 Wednesday night. The Bolts will be happy to return home with the series even at one-game apiece because they’ve been at their very best during their Cup run in front of their home fans.
- The Penguins are 12-5 SU in their last 17 games versus the Lightning.
- The Lightning are 4-0 SU in their last four games after a loss.
- The Penguins are 6-0 SU in their last six games as road favorites.
The Lightning are slight underdogs at +110 in moneyline markets at online shop Sportsbook while the Penguins are priced at -130. As far as the total is concerned, OVER 5 goals is presently -135 while UNDER 5 goals is +115.
In six home games during the playoffs, the Lightning have posted a record of 5-1 straight up and have actually gone 6-1 on home ice dating back to their final regular season home game.
Goals have been hard to come by for the visiting team during the playoffs as the Lightning have surrendered just 10 goals in those six home games and have posted a pair of shutouts in the process.
Sidney Crosby scored 40 seconds into overtime to give the Pens the 3-2 win in Game 2 Monday, splitting the two contests in Pittsburgh. The goal was the captain’s first in eight games during Pittsburgh’s postseason.
While the Lightning are hopeful that No. 1 netminder Bishop will return at some point in the series from the lower-body injury he suffered in the opener, Andrei Vasilevskiy has performed exceptionally well in his stead. The Russian did everything he could in Game 2, stopping 38 of 41 shots and has stopped 63 of 67 shots he’s faced since replacing Bishop.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Tampa Bay Lightning were listed earlier today as -115 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while odds makers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.
Odds Shark score prediction models pick a 3.8-1.8 result in favor of the Lightning today. 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
This season the Tampa Bay Lightning are 55-33-6 overall while the Pittsburgh Penguins are 57-29-9. As for the totals, Tampa Bay is 37-44-13 on the OU, and Pittsburgh is 41-36-18. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Tampa Bay vs Pittsburgh injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Tampa Bay Lightning rated this week at No. 21 and the Pittsburgh Penguins sitting at No. 1.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Tampa Bay Lightning No. 11-ranked offense (2.79 goals per game) against a Pittsburgh Penguins defense that ranks No. 6 at 2.45 goals per game allowed. The Lightning Sportsbook has clicked at a 16.1% rate while the Penguins have a 84% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Pittsburgh is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games
- Pittsburgh is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing Tampa Bay
- Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
- Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
- Tampa Bay is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games when playing Pittsburgh
Next Betting Matchups
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, Friday, May 20th
