Avalanche vs. Lightning Prediction and Odds Stanley Cup Final Game 3 (Can Tampa Hand Colorado a Road Playoff Loss?)

After going 17 straight games with a victory following a loss in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Tampa Bay Lightning have lost two straight games in their last two rounds of the postseason.

The good news is, after losing two straight in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Lightning took the next four in a row against the New York Rangers to move onto the Stanley Cup Final.

One problem. The Avalanche have yet to lose a road game in the postseason; going 7-0 straight up so far.

The line is listed as a pick 'em for Game 3, so which trend is most likely to fall tonight?

Here are the latest odds for Monday night over at WynnBET Sportsbook.

Avalanche vs. Lightning Odds, Puck Line and Total

Run Line:

• Avalanche +1 (-175)
• Lightning -1 (+145)

Moneyline:

• Avalanche -110
• Lightning -110

Total:

• 6 (OVER +100 | UNDER -120)

Avalanche vs. Lightning Prediction and Pick

To call Colorado road warriors might be an understatement at this point. While the Avalanche obviously undefeated, they're handling their opponents and covering on the puck line in almost every game as well.

If they go on to defeat the Lightning tonight, it would tie the second-longest run in NHL history for most consecutive road wins to begin the postseason.

Give Colorado its due. After the Lightning forced overtime in Game 1, they dominated Tampa Bay in Game 2, outshooting the Lightning 60-29, and in shots on goal 30-16.

So why is tonight the right night to back the Lightning?

While Colorado is excellent on the road, the Lightning are also outstanding at home; winners of seven straight games at AMALIE Arena. Tampa is also 8-4 all-time in the postseason after being shut out in their last game. The Lightning have also won 11 playoff series in a row, and have relied on their resiliency and ability on the power play to get back in series. The Avalanche have four goals on special teams; hitting at a historic rate. At some point, some regression is set to hit.

Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has looked out of sorts in the first two games, but he should return to form tonight in a friendly environment; going 7-1 at home during the postseason. Conversely, Avalanche goalie Darcy Kuemper has given up just three goals in the first two games of the series, as he looks fully healthy and rested from going down in the last series vs. the Edmonton Oilers.

Ultimately, Colorado has done more to showcase it is the better team so far in the series, but I'm not ready to count Tampa Bay, based on a long sample of games out in these moments. I'll take the Lightning at near-even money to protect home ice.

PICK: Lightning ML -110

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