Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vegas Golden Knights Predictions, Odds, Picks

• A battle for league supremacy
• Sharpest Lightning we’ve seen in some time
• Vegas enters on a tear

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vegas Golden Knights Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

There haven’t been many opportunities this year to bet on the Tampa Bay Lightning with favorable odds. They enter this one as the underdog though against a very solid Golden Knights team that’s currently on a five game win streak. Vegas has been one of the sharper teams at home this season in the West going 10-6-0 at T-Mobile. If history has taught us anything as well, it’s that the City That Never Sleeps rarely goes with the underweight card. This one is a heavyweight bout.

Our Pick

If anyone has a chance to knock off Vegas at home it’s the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sadly, though, based on the run these Golden Knights are having, we’re finding it hard to bet against them.

We like Vegas at (-135)

The Tampa Bay Lightning won’t need any luck entering this contest, they’re fully built for another long postseason run. We were a little worried that they may be peaking a little too early for a team that really should be tired entering this season. It doesn’t look like a Stanley Cup hangover is in their vocabulary though. They’re as hot as ever which is why this tilt could be the best game of the year thus far.

Bolts Need to Set the Perimeter

When you have one of the best goaltenders on the planet the game plan becomes fairly simple – don’t overwork him and you’re sitting pretty. That’ll be the plan on Tuesday night on The Strip. If the Golden Knights can crack that strategy mind you, this one will be over before it starts. However, keeping one of the best offensive teams to the outside all night long should set the tone for the Bolts. If their defense can step up and just keep shots out wide, it’ll provide more than enough room for their speedsters to break out.

With 16 wins, Andrei Vasilevsky is currently tied for the league lead with Carolina netminder Frederik Anderson. With the Hurricanes having the night off though, not only could the Bolts give Big Cat the bragging rights, but with the win, they could also take the league lead in points from the Canes as well. In other words, NHL supremacy is on the line for Tampa on Tuesday night.

Vegas Needs to Rely on Scoring Touch

These Golden Knights currently sit second in the league with 111 goals for – just one spot back of the Colorado Avalanche (115 GF). It won’t be easy, but Vegas will need to find a way to hit the board early and often. Yes, defense will be paramount in this contest, but the team that generates the most opportunities will be the victor here. The more rubber thrown at the Tampa crease the better for Vegas while they rest their hopes on Robin Lehner in the back end.

Look for Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore to be springing the speed of team points leader Chandler Stephenson and team goal leader Jonathan Marchessault free up the middle all night long. A few breakouts from one of the deadliest offensive squads in the league could be the deciding factor. Vegas will need to have their head on a swivel in the back end, but a decent defensive effort combined with a few stretch passes could turn the tides just enough.

The Trend Bend

Tampa Bay has won four of their last five on the road. Meanwhile, Vegas is a perfect 4-0 against Eastern teams this season.

How to Watch Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vegas Golden Knights