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The Colorado Avalanche will meet the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final as the series shifts to Florida. It's time to continue our NHL odds coverage with an Avalanche-Lightning prediction and pick.
The Avalanche demolished the Lightning 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Valeri Nichushkin opened up the scoring within the first three minutes by firing a power-play goal past goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy to give Colorado the early lead. Then, the Avalanche got a Josh Manson goal a few minutes later to pad their lead. Andre Burakovsky struck toward the latter stages of the period to give the Avs a 3-0 lead. Colorado never looked back and dominated every aspect of this match, winning 7-0.
Nichushkin finished with two goals. Mikko Rantanen produced three assists, while Andrew Cogliano also added two assists. Cale Makar did his part, chipping in two goals.
Goaltending was fantastic for the Avs. Goalie Darcy Kuemper stopped all 16 shots he faced. Alternatively. Vasilevskiy allowed seven goals on 30 shots. It was not the best night in net for him, and he will look to produce better results now that the series shifts to Tampa.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Avalanche-Lightning odds:
NHL odds: Avalanche-Lightning Odds
Avalanche: -1.5 (+220) ML (-110)
Lightning: +1.5 (-280) ML (-110)
Over: 6 (+100)
Under: 6 (-122)
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Why The Avalanche Could Cover The Spread
The Avalanche have yet to lose on the road throughout these playoffs, generating a 7-0 record. However, they now come to a place that is difficult to play. Colorado has produced these results based on an explosive offense and timely defense. They also convert on their chances when they need it.
The Avalanche went 2 for 4 on the power-play in Game 2. The first goal was a power-play goal and the beginning of an avalanche of goals that trickled in. What makes this team dangerous is their depth. The Avalanche scored seven goals, and Nazem Kadri did not touch a single one of them. Additionally, Nathan MacKinnon had one assist on the seven goals. It was more of a Rantanen and Makar showing. The second line did a majority of the damage and never let up.
The Avalanche gave the Lightning almost no room to shoot. Tampa Bay took 16 shots on net, which is abysmally low. Steven Stamkos fired one shot on net, Victor Hedman had three, and Nikita Kucherov did not record a single shot. When the Avalanche can hold the Lightning's three best players to four shots, the chances of them winning increase. Kuemper barely had to do anything because there was not a significant threat to worry about.
The Avalanche will cover the spread if they continue to do the little things efficiently and suffocate the Lightning on the ice, not allowing them any room to move around. Likewise, they cover if they continue to fire shots at the Lightning and put them on their heels.
Why The Lightning Could Cover the Spread
The Lightning were 27-8-6 at home during the regular season. Additionally, they are 7-1 at home in the playoffs. It is the time they activate those powers because they are in an 0-2 hole for the second series in a row. However, the Avalanche are a much more explosive and balanced team than the Rangers. It will not be easy, but Tampa Bay has the credentials to pull it off.
The Lightning won 52 percent of the faceoffs in Game 2. Also, they had 57 hits to the 46 that the Avalanche delivered. Tampa Bay blocked 20 shots, which spoke more volumes to the sheer amount of total shots the Avalanche fired. Tampa Bay must play better on the blue line and not allow Colorado to get so many opportunities to shoot. It is also time for Kucherov, Hedman, and Stamkos to shine. The three stars did nothing in Game 2, and the Lightning suffered. Now, they must show up, or else the Lightning might find themselves in an 0-3 hole.
The Lightning will cover the spread if they can clamp down on the opportunities that the Avalanche get. They must prevent the Avs from firing so many shots and swing the momentum back. Additionally, Kucherov, Hedman, and Stamkos need to produce.
Final Avalanche-Lightning Game 3 Prediction & Pick
Do not count the Lightning out. It was a mistake that many did during the Rangers-Lightning series. The Avalanche are a significantly better team. However, the energy will flow through the Lightning as they return home. Vasilevskiy will up his game and perform significantly better to help his team get back in the series. Expect the Lightning to edge the Avalanche and hand Colorado its first road loss of the playoffs.
Final Avalanche-Lightning Game 3 Prediction & Pick: Lightning ML (-110)
