Oilers vs. Lightning Prediction and Odds (Tampa Bay To Take Care of Business in Return to the Amalie Arena)
By Matt De Saro
The Edmonton Oilers have a steep mountain to climb tonight against the reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The Oilers are coming off a brutal 7-3 loss to the Wild that snapped a five-game win streak dating back to Feb. 12. And while that was a nice run, the teams they beat along the way, including were not exactly high-quality opponents. That has me second-guessing just how improved this team is and thinking it might have been a weak schedule that put them on the path to a winning streak.
I think we get that answer tonight when the Lightning get back on their home ice for the first time in weeks. Here are the odds for tonight’s matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
Oilers vs. Lightning Odds and Total
Moneyline:
- Oilers +175
- Lightning -200
Puck line:
- Oilers +1.5 (-140)
- Lightning -1.5 (+115)
Total:
- 6.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Oilers vs. Lightning Prediction and Pick
Edmonton’s crushing loss to a good Minnesota team reminded me that the Oilers are not a very good team. While beating bad teams is important, you have to beat the good ones too and the Oilers haven’t shown the ability to do that on a regular basis. Their goaltending can't hang with the league's best shooters and are the 22nd worst scoring defense in the NHL. They do alright on offense but are constantly let down by their defense and poor play between the pipes with a save percentage of .898.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is loaded top to bottom with talent and is the sixth-best scoring defense in the NHL and allows the sixth least goals per game on average at 2.53. They also have a Venezia winner holding it down in goal who is never an easy matchup for opposing teams. I think the Lightning are ready to get back to business on their home ice and will come out to a hot start in this one.
Lean: Lightning -1.5 (+115)
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