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Lightning vs. Hurricanes Prediction and Odds (Goals Will Be Scarce)

By Joe Summers

The Hurricanes hope to snap a four-game losing streak as they host the Lightning tonight
The Hurricanes hope to snap a four-game losing streak as they host the Lightning tonight / Rob Carr/GettyImages
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Ordinarily, I'd preview this 7:00 PM EST contest as a Clash of the Titans - an intense matchup between two Stanley Cup hopefuls. And while that's still the case, right now, it's more a matchup between two struggling teams in need of a win.

The Lightning have lost four of six and sit 2.5 games behind the Panthers for the Atlantic Division lead while the Hurricanes have lost four straight and sit only a half-game ahead of the Rangers at the top of the Metropolitan Division.

Carolina beat Tampa Bay 2-1 back in November but as we near the postseason, both teams are gearing up for a deep run.

Can the Hurricanes snap their losing streak and right the ship or will the Lightning keep the waters choppy and get a road victory?

Let's check out the odds over at WynnBET to find some value in this Lightning vs Hurricanes matchup:

Lightning vs Hurricanes Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Lightning +100
  • Hurricanes -120

Puck line:

  • Lightning +1.5 (-250)
  • Hurricanes -1.5 (+200)

Total:

  • 5.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Lightning vs Hurricanes Prediction and Pick

Both offenses are struggling. The Lightning have scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five games while the Hurricanes haven't scored more than three goals in 11 straight contests dating back a month.

As a result, the under has been a fantastic bet. It's hit in five straight Tampa Bay matchups and is 9-2-1 in Carolina's last dozen. While each squad has an excellent offense capable of scoring in bunches, their defensive ability is what gives us value today.

The Hurricanes are the second-stingiest team in the league, allowing only 2.27 goals per game. But the Lightning are stout defensively as well, ranking 7th in the NHL with 2.54 goals against per game.

I expect a tightly-contested battle and a low-scoring matchup. I could see either team winning, but I love the under. It's 10-2 in Carolina's last 10 home games and while it's obviously a small sample size, only three goals were scored in the first matchup between these teams.

With elite defenses, struggling offenses and recent trends pointing to the under, this is an easy play for me - enjoy the defensive slugfest tonight.

Pick: Under 5.5 (-105)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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