The Dallas Stars will play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in a 2020 Stanley Cup Finals rematch. Both of these teams are more than likely going to make the playoffs, although the Stars are in the second wild-card spot in the West, just two points ahead of the Golden Knights. Can they squeak out a win here tonight and help solidify a playoff spot? It’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Lightning-Stars prediction and pick.

Here are the Lightning-Stars NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel

NHL Odds: Lightning-Stars Odds

Tampa Bay Lightning: -1.5 (+158) (-160 ML)

Dallas Stars: +1.5 (-192) (+132 ML)

Over: 6 (-118)

Under: 6 (-104)

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Why The Lightning Can Cover The Spread/Win

The Tampa Bay Lightning have overall had a pretty good season so far, but less than what the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champions were expected to do. The Bolts are currently in third place in the Atlantic with 96 points, just one point ahead of the Bruins. They're coming off of a shutout win against the Sabres on Sunday, but are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. It's an assumption that we'll get to see arguably the best goalie in the world, Andrei Vasileveskiy start between the pipes tonight, but with playoffs rapidly approaching, I wouldn't be shocked if he gets some rest. With that said, Vasileveskiy is sporting a .917 save percentage on the year while allowing 2.45 goals per game. He'll do what he can to keep the Stars in check tonight.

Why The Stars Can Cover The Spread/Win

The Dallas Stars are currently in the second wild-card spot in the West, just two points ahead of the Golden Knights but only one point behind the Predators. Over the last 10 outings, the Stars have only scored 2.88 goals per game and have still gone 6-3-1 in that time. Most of those wins can be credited to starting goaltender, Jake Oettinger, who has been pretty good in net for them lately. He's currently repping a .914 save percentage while allowing 2.53 goals against per game. He'll try his best to wrangle up a win from the Bolts today as the Stars are desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Final Lightning-Stars Prediction & Pick

When I first saw this game on the books, I honestly didn't like the odds. The Stars are at home, which is where they've been pretty decent all year, and they're fighting for a playoff spot. With that said, the Lightning have been up and down all season, but are still a very talented team who can take on anybody. I like the Lightning in this matchup, purely based on raw talent, but the odds just aren't there, value-wise. Because of that, I'm going to take the over in this game. Both of these teams can put pucks in the back of the net at any moment, regardless of the goaltending. If you've been following me through the picks I make, I always say that life is too short to bet the under, so let's just take the over for value purposes here.

Final Lightning-Stars Prediction and Pick: Over 6 (-118)