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Hurricanes vs. Lightning Prediction and Odds (Hurricanes Win Tight Contest)

By Joe Summers

Frederik Anderson leads a stingy Hurricanes defense
Frederik Anderson leads a stingy Hurricanes defense / Scott Taetsch/GettyImages
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We've got a battle of two of the best teams in hockey as the 41-18-6 Tampa Bay Lightning host the 43-15-7 Carolina Hurricanes tonight at 7:00 PM EST.

Both squads have won two straight and seem to be back on track after mid-month slumps and this should be a wildly competitive contest. Carolina earned a 3-2 victory over the Lightning last week at home, and now Tampa Bay will try to get revenge.

Can the Hurricanes stay hot to earn a third straight win or will Tampa Bay keep pace with the Panthers at the top of the Atlantic Division as we near the end of the regular season?

Let's check out the odds from WynnBET to help us find some value in this Hurricanes vs Lightning matchup:

Hurricanes vs Lightning Odds, Spread and Total

Moneyline:

  • Hurricanes: +120
  • Lightning: -145

Puck Line:

  • Hurricanes +1.5 (-220)
  • Lightning -1.5 (+180)

Total:

  • 5.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Hurricanes vs Lightning Prediction and Pick

Carolina has won their last two games by a combined score of 13-3 and have the best defense in the sport, allowing a league-leading 2.26 goals per game. Not to be outdone, the Lightning are stingy as well. They rank fifth in goals allowed per game at 2.51 and have given up just 12 goals in their last seven matchups.

This is a potential conference finals preview and it should live up to the billing. The Hurricanes have been excellent as an underdog, going 6-2 in their last eight, allowing just two goals per game in that stretch.

There's two bets I have my eye on here. First, I'm willing to take a shot on Carolina at plus-money against anyone. They've been, at worst, a top-two team in the NHL and I think they should be the Stanley Cup favorites.

But second, I love the under. It's hit in seven straight games when Tampa Bay is a favorite and with the intense, playoff-like atmosphere we'll see, I think the defenses continue their incredible stretch of play.

Picks: Hurricanes +120 and Under 5.5 (-110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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