NHL Hockey Betting Preview: Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning

Added on Oct 24, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

NHL

Short slate of NHL betting opportunities on Sunday, but we’ll take a look at a non-conference battle between the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay has been one of the surprise teams in the early part of the season, winning 5 of their first 7 games. Nashville has won 4 of their first seven games but all three of their losses have been in overtime.

Nashville Predators at Tampa Bay Lightning
October 24, 2010 3:00 PM Pacific

Tampa Bay is a tough team to figure. Statistically, they shouldn’t be 5-1-1 on the season but there they are atop the Southeast Division. The Lightning are scoring goals, which is good–they’re currently ranked #2 in the NHL in scoring offense with 3.43 goals per game. Tampa Bay is also ranked #3 in shots on goal per game (34.2).On the other hand, they’re ranked #24 in scoring defense allowing 3.29 goals per game. Until their 5-2 win over Atlanta on Friday night, they had a negative goal differential on the season.

Nashville enters this contest having lost three of their last four but its not like they’ve been playing bad hockey–all three losses were in overtime against high level opponents (Calgary, Washington and Pittsburgh). The Preds are still very solid on defense–they’re tied for #3 in the NHL with a 2.00 goals against average. We expect the Predators to be a playoff team this season, and love their solid defense, hard work and strong goaltending. We’re not sold on Tampa Bay–they’ve upgraded their offense, that’s for sure, but not sure they haven’t overachieved in the early going. The Lightning have had their biggest problems this year against a Florida Panthers team that plays a very similar ‘grinding’ style to the Predators losing 6-0. We’re getting an excellent defensive team at a great underdog price.

Bet Nashville Predators +140 over Tampa Bay Lightning