Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning Game 3 odds, picks and prediction
The Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning play Game 3 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs second-round series Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena. Below, we analyze the Hurricanes-Lightning odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes were on the short end of a couple of well-played 2-1 games in Raleigh, N.C. It wasn't the start that Carolina wanted, but they have been down 2-0 after two home games before winning a playoff series. In 2006, the Hurricanes went down 2-0 to the Montreal Canadiens before storming back to win in six.
The Lightning have averaged just 2.0 goals per game in the series, and they have to be thrilled to be up 2-0 in this series while heading home for the next two. Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Vezina Trophy finalist, has been the difference.
Hurricanes at Lightning: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line : Hurricanes +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Lightning -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS : Hurricanes +1.5 (-200) | Lightning -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under : 5.5 (O: +120 | U: -145)
Hurricanes at Lightning: Projected starting goalies
Petr Mrazek (15-5-3, 1.90 GAA, .932 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (31-10-1, 2.21 GAA, .925 SV%, 5 SO). Stats are regular season only.
Rookie Alex Nedeljkovic started the first two games at home, and he has not played poorly. He is 0-2, but he has posted a 2.04 GAA and .911 SV%. However, two of the goals have just been untimely, so it's time for head coach Rod Brind'Amour to make a change for a spark.
Vasilevskiy was named as a Vezina Trophy finalist this week, and he has certainly looked the part. He is 2-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .971 SV% through the two games. Now, he is on home ice where he was 18-2-0 with a 1.75 GAA and .936 SV% with three shutouts in 20 regular-season starts.
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Hurricanes at Lightning: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Lightning 3
Money line (ML)
The HURRICANES (+135) are worth a look as moderate 'dogs on the road in Game 3. The road team has narrowly won the first two games, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this one go overtime to decide a winner.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Hurricanes +1.5 (-200) will cost you two times your potential return if you would like a little bit of insurance on the road. That's too expensive, though.
AVOID and play the money line instead for a much better value.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 5.5 (+120) is worth a roll of the dice. We have had a total of six goals in the first two games, as defense and goaltending has reigned supreme. But these teams have strong offenses, and we'll get a breakout game with some end-to-end action. At plus-money it's a great value, too.
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