Lightning vs. Devils Odds
| Lightning Odds | +100 |
| Devils Odds | -120 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -142o / +116u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils on Sunday, February 25 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Tampa has dominated this matchup over the past couple of seasons, winning six of the past seven meetings. Will the Bolts take care of business once again? Or can New Jersey defend its home ice?
Let's dig into the odds and make a Lightning vs. Devils prediction in my NHL betting preview.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay stopped its three-game skid with a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders, and I believe it will continue to turn things around Sunday. This is one of the best offenses in hockey, ranking in the the top seven of the league in goals scored per game, power-play percentage and shooting percentage.
Based on their underling metrics, regression is unlikely considering the Lightning also rank in the top half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. Things have not gone as well defensively, but they still rank higher than New Jersey in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game, penalty-kill percentage and expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.
The Lightning are the stronger two-way team, but the one question mark in this contest is goaltending, as Jonas Johansson is slated to guard its cage. With that said, there is just as big of a question mark across the ice.
New Jersey Devils
Since the Devils are also on the second half of a back-to-back, they are also forced to go with a struggling goaltender in Akira Schmid. Through 15 appearances in the crease this season, Schmid is 5-7-1 with a .893 SV% and 3.25 GAA. Entering this contest in particularly poor form, he possesses a fade-worthy .864 SV% and 3.96 GAA over his past four starts. New Jersey lost three of those four games.
These struggles are likely to continue against Tampa, a team Schmid is 0-1 against in his career with a .875 SV%. It certainly won't help Schmid's cause that the Devils rank 19th or worse in goals allowed per game and penalty-kill percentage.
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Lightning vs. Devils
Betting Pick & Prediction
New Jersey's offensive production is likely to help Schmid out, especially against Johansson. However, it still ranks lower than the Lightning in goals scored per game, power-play percentage and shooting percentage, while Tampa also boasts the advantage defensively,
I believe the main reason why the Devils are slight favorites instead of a pick 'em in this matchup is that they are at home. With that said, New Jersey's home win percentage is just 46.6% this year.
Pick: Lightning ML (+102 at FanDuel | Play to -105)
