The reigning Stanley Cup champions (Tampa Bay Lightning) are back on the ice tonight after a brief COVID-19 pause as they face the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck drops at 6:00 PM (CT), and unfortunately, the game is not nationally televised. Both teams have been plagued by COVID-19 with the Hurricanes having some players out due to quarantine. The Lightning had their last two games postponed, and the Hurricanes had their last three games postponed. The Lightning had four days off due to postponements, while the Hurricanes have been off for a lengthy ten days. The Lightning enter the game with a 3-1 record, and the Hurricanes are currently 2-1 on this young season. The current betting line has the traveling Lightning at -145 (money line) favorites with an over/under set at 6 goals.
Carolina Hurricanes Breakdown
The Hurricanes have looked solid this season based on a small sample size. The Canes have the 14th highest goals per game (3.00) and the 3rd lowest goals against (2.00). Part of this is due to the play of Goalie Mrazek, who has looked strong in his first two starts with a 1.53 GAA, including one shutout performance. The Canes are in position to be a very competitive team come playoff time. However, today’s game will not feature that competitive team, as the Canes will be without five key players (Jesper Fast / Teuvo Teravainen / Jaccob Slavin / Warren Foegele / Jordan Martinook). In addition to a loss of star power, the Canes have not played a game in ten days. Historically, the extended time off has not done the Canes any favors as they have a 19-45 record after extended breaks from the ice. To make matters worse, the Canes have to jump back into the swing of the NHL season with their first game against the explosive defending champions. Normal circumstances would make this game difficult, now add in the missing players and the lack of conditioning, and the deck is stacked against the Canes today.
Tampa Bay Lightning Breakdown
The Lightning have picked up right were they left off last season with a 3-1 record and the 5th highest goals per game (3.75) and the 8th lowest goals against per game (2.50). They are playing great hockey despite losing their last game 5-2 to the Blue Jackets. The four days off bodes really well for the Lightning who sport a 41-20 record when playing a game with three or more days of rest. Their goalie Andrei Vasilveskiy has started every game this year with a 2.24 GAA. The Lightning are proving they are the team to beat again this year and should have a big bounce back win tonight against the depleted Canes.
Lightning vs Hurricanes History Trends
This matchup has been a nightmare for the Canes. The Lightning have owned them with a 20-6 record in the previous 26 games. The Lightning, historically, have torched Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek winning 13 of the previous 15 matchups and scoring 3.64 goals a game on him. On the flip side, Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilveskiy has shutdown the Hurricanes with perfect 7-0 record and only allowed 2.00 goals a game.
Prediction
This game is so one sided, they should just postpone it for the sake of the Canes. The Canes have not only been bullied by the Lightning in the past, but also a depleted roster (missing 5 key players due to quarantine for COVID-19). The Lightning will be fresh and fast on the ice tonight as they, historically, dominate after three or more days off, while the Canes are undermanned and out of hockey shape. The Canes will have some tired legs by the time the 3rd period rolls around which should benefit the fresh Lightning players, that is assuming the Lightning are not already ahead by four goals. The Lightning are the obvious favorite in this matchup even if both rosters were 100% healthy, but to only have the Lightning favored at -145 for their money line is just disrespectful. The Lightning should be at a minimum -175 maybe even up to -200; therefore, I am all aboard the Lightning money line train tonight.
LOCK OF THE DAY
Tampa Bay Lightning ML -145
Article written by DJ Loutsch
Twitter @djlo4422
