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The Stanley Cup Final is underway with the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche squaring off against the back-to-back defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams have fought hard to be where they are today, but there can only be one team hoisting the cup at the end. Who will win game one in Denver tonight to kick off the series? It’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Lightning-Avalanche prediction and pick.
Here are the Lightning-Avalanche NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Lightning-Avalanche Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning: +1.5 (-210) (+130 ML)
Colorado Avalanche: -1.5 (+172) (-156 ML)
Over: 6 (-115)
Under: 6 (-105)
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Why The Lightning Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to three-peat this year after winning the cup the previous two years and are heavy underdogs heading into this series. They made it to this Cup Final after knocking out three very strong teams in the Leafs, Panthers (sweep), and Rangers, most of which being without Brayden Point (who will likely return early in this series).
The Bolts have a terrific defense with an even better offense, keeping the pressure on both sides of the ice. The story for them is once again, the best goaltender in the world, Andrei Vasilevskiy. These are the moments where he shines, and it'll certainly show through in this series. The Bolts have had their ups and downs this season, but have certainly proven themselves as genuine contenders once again. Can they get on the right foot with a win on the road tonight? We'll soon find out.
Why The Avalanche Can Cover The Spread/Win
The Colorado Avalanche are in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001 and are facing their toughest postseason matchup yet. The Avs will be without Sam Girard and Nazem Kadri (who will hopefully return early in the series) but are still considered one of the deepest rosters in recent history. In the postseason so far, the Avs are 12-2 while beating out the Predators (sweep), the Blues, and the Oilers (sweep).
The Avs are an extremely explosive team where they'll score three goals in a blink of an eye. Their defense is top-notch, but their main concern would be their goaltending. Darcy Kuemper has been battling through injuries in the playoffs, but backup goaltender Pavel Francouz has stepped in perfectly, keeping the Avs on track to win games. The Avs certainly have their work cut out for them in this series, but if they shut down Connor McDavid and the Oilers for four games straight, I think they have a good chance of taking down the Lightning.
Final Lightning-Avalanche Prediction & Pick
This is going to sound kind of like a cop-out pick here as both teams are so talented, but because of that, I like the over. Both of these teams can score a lot of goals, and there have been at least six goals scored in game one of the Stanley Cup Final every season since 2017. With that, give me the over six total goals, should be a cakewalk for this kind of game.
As far as the whole series goes, give me the Avalanche to win it all. They deserve it, they have an amazing team this year, and it would all go to waste if they didn't bring home the cup. The Lightning are a really good team too, and I think they'll put up a good fight, so my official prediction is the Avalanche in 6 games, although it would be nice to see them win at home for the fans.
Final Lightning-Avalanche Prediction and Pick: Over 6 (-115)
