Check out the game 5 preview for the Lightning vs. Hurricanes Avalanche complete with predictions and picks.The Tamp Bay Lightning are a win away from advancing into the third round of the playoffs after taking the 3-1 series lead in a wild game 4 on Sunday.
Now, as the series returns to Amelie Arena, the Lightning are unsurprisingly favored in the betting. However, it’s a rather tight betting NHL line that’s on offer with most top-rated sportsbooks, suggesting game 5 is up for grabs.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 6:30 PM EDT at Amelie Arena
The Lightning have the momentum following Sunday’s 6-4 win and they’re one win away from advancing into the next round. As such, they’re tipped as the faves to win game 5 at home. However, after game 4 served up a scoring bonanza, oddsmakers aren’t giving it to Tampa Bay wholeheartedly.
As it is, the Lightning are priced anywhere between -117 to -125 depending on the preferred top sportsbooks.
Sunday’s game saw the Lightning burst out of the gates to take the 1-0 lead in the first period but then the floodgates opened in an eight-goal second period that saw both sides account for half. The Hurricanes took the initiative first and led 4-2 midway through the second half before the Lightning rallied with four straight goals to clinch the victory.
"You could see the guys responding well, the bench stayed calm," Kucherov said in his post-game presser. "We knew what to do, we just had to make that switch and start playing the right way. Take care of our zone and create some chances down there and that’s what we did."
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos both scored two goals and had an assist in the game while Braydon Point and Tyler Johnson added a goal each. Andriy Vasilevskiy was solid in the net again, saving 21 shots out of 25 shots for a .840 save percentage.
The Hurricanes battled in game 4 to take the lead but then fritted away the advantage on several costly penalties. Now, they’re in a 3-1 sinkhole, faced with a must-win game or their playoffs are over.
"The first period wasn’t great, but obviously we fought back and we were in good spots,’ Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. "Obviously the penalties were what turned the game. That’s the game in a nutshell. You can’t take six penalties and that’s what happened."
“We score four on [Vasilevskiy], we need to win that game," Brind’Amour added. "He’s probably not going to let four in again. I just think, again, the other day, we weren’t sharp, then we got going. We had some good momentum and the penalties killed us."
The Hurricanes entered the playoffs with high hopes as the top seed in the Central Division. However, it’s not been smooth sailing from the start. They needed game 6 in the first round before dispatching the Nashville Predators (4-2). Now, they need to go the distance in the series if they hope to continue their postseason campaign.
It’s a big ask for the Carolina Hurricanes to turn around a series when the opponent is none other than the defending Stanley Cup champions. And yet, their NHL odds are so understated that they’re only the nominal underdogs.
The Lightning have the championship pedigree after winning the Stanley Cup last season and they have the pivotal 3-1 edge in the series, but they’re only marginally favoured.
Hence, this game is a total coin toss for NHL picks because on one hand the Canes could win but on the other hand the Lightning should win. Push comes to shove: the reigning champs are the value play given they have home advantage for game 5 as well as the lead in the series.
NHL Pick: Lightning -117 with Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.