The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning will lock horns for the third time this season. Their regular-season series is currently tied at 1-1 and both teams are riding momentum off their ongoing win streaks.  With that said, it’s a good time to check out our NHL odds series, which includes our Penguins-Lightning prediction, odds, and pick we have laid out below.

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NHL odds: Penguins-Lightning Odds

Penguins: +1.5 (-164)

Lightning: -1.5 (+134)

Over: 6.5 (+104)

Under: 6.5 (-128)

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Why the Penguins Could Cover the Spread 

After a three-game losing streak, the Penguins are up and running again. They defeated the New York Rangers (1-0) last Saturday before subduing the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-2) to start a three-game away trip the following day. A nice three-day rest guarantees Pittsburgh fresh legs when Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Penguins hit the ice later tonight. Hopefully for the team, its sizzling power play attack has not cooled down yet.

The Penguins are looking to extend their streak of games with at least a power play goal to five games. They are  4/14 on the man advantage in their last four games —  that's half of their goal production during that stretch. They are also 6/23 on the power play over their past six games. Pittsburgh is reaping the dividends of their aggressive play on the puck of late.

In fact, the Penguins have posted a 56.14 CF% in six games played starting on Feb. 15, fourth among all teams in the NHL in that same span. If you're wondering about where Tampa Bay is, the Lightning are just 25th according to the same qualifiers.

What's a bit surprising is that the Penguins posted a .929 PDO during those games, so better play could be expected from Pittsburgh, which is averaging 3.2 goals for per contest. After resting in the Columbus game, goalie Tristan Jarry could be back on the ice tonight. Jarry is 26-11-6 this season with a 2.33 GAA and .921 SV%. He made 26 saves on 28 shots faced the last time the Pens played at Amalie Arena to lead Pittsburgh to a 6-2 road win back on Oct. 12.

Why the Lightning Could Cover the Spread

The Lightning have struck five games in a row to even their season-best win streak. In their most recent outing, the Bolts torched the Ottawa Senators at home last Tuesday, 5-2.  Over their current win streak, the defending Stanley Cup champions have outscored by 10 goals (23-13).

Brayden Point is coming off a sensational performance against the Sens, as he had a goal and three assists for a four-point night. Perhaps even hotter is Steven Stamkos, who has now buried a goal in each of the Lightning's last five games. In any case, the Lightning have two of their studs at the absolute top of their games, which is largely why they are looking so unbeatable at the moment. Point has come up with five goals and 11 points in his last seven games, while Stamkos has found the back of the net six times to go with a couple of assists over his past five games.

Moreover, Point has scored a goal while Stamkos dropped an assist to help Tampa Bay defeat the Penguins on the road on Oct. 27. And it's not just the Penguins who will be coming into Thursday night's game on a roll on the power play. The Lightning have also been prolific in that department lately, with four power play goals on 12 chances in the last three outings.

And then there's also Tampa Bay goalie getting in the groove again. He has allowed only four goals in 55 shots faced in his last two starts. This season, the Russian netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy is leading the NHL with a 29-8-4 record to go with a 2.27 GAA and .921 SV% — both top-10 numbers. Among goalies with at least 20 starts, Vasilevskiy is third in Goals Saved Above Expected (19.3) and also third in Wins Above Replacement (3.21).

Final Penguins-Lightning Prediction & Pick

The Lightning’s mediocre special teams play could be feasted upon by Pittsburgh’s rampaging power play. Tampa Bay’s last four opponents have scored four power play goals on 12 chances – during which the Lightning have posted an incredible 110.5 PDO. Some regression to the mean might be in the offing for the Bolts and that could start in this game against a very good Pittsburgh squad.

Final Penguins-Lightning Pick: Penguins: +1.5 (-164)