On Monday night, the Stanley Cup Final will head to Tampa Bay, as the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning will try to avoid a 3-0 hole in the series. Why are they in this position? Well, the Western Conference champion Colorado Avalanche won Game 2 7-0 the size of a football score.
Catch all the action on ABC and ESPN+ Monday at 8 pm ET. In fact, ESPN+ will have real-time stats right on the screen and additional camera angles, making it easy to keep track of your player’s gear.
But for now, let’s take a look at the top picks from our betting experts.
Colorado Avalanche in Tampa Bay Lightning
Disk line: Tampa Bay -1.5
money line: Tampa Bay (-115), Colorado (-105)
Total: 6
highlights
Greg Wyshynski, NHL Senior Writer: First Period, Over 1.5 Goals (-120)
This hit in the first two games of the series in Denver. The low price here is because the Lightning haven’t had a first period at home since Game 3 against the Panthers. Overall, they have only passed first in three of eight home games. The Avalanche have passed first in 10 of 16 games, though that’s inflated a bit by the four in a row they had against the Predators in the first round. They have only passed in four games away from home. Still, given his offensive role and the Lightning’s desperation, that’s a recipe for clearing this total in the first, especially if things go south for Tampa Bay for the third straight game.
Anita Marks, ESPN sports betting analyst: Colorado Money Line (-105), Colorado vs. Tampa Bay Sub 6, Colorado Series swept (+250)
Colorado is too good. We’re witnessing sheer dominance, especially in Game 2. The Avalanche are 14-2 in the playoffs and undefeated on the road. His speed and defense, particularly his blue line, has been incredible. Colorado is 3-for-7 on power plays in this series, and has an impressive 6-for-6 on penalties. Fatigue should be a factor for the Lightning, considering their series has been longer, and they’ve had to deal with thin air in Denver the past two games. I expect Andrei Vasilevskiy to play better at home (5 goals in last 5 at home), but Tampa will still struggle to shoot (only 29 shots in Game 2 (16 on net).
2 related
Wyshynski: Ondrej Palat scored a point (-130)
The unnamed winger should skate with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov in Game 3. With the Lightning having the latest lane change, they could move that trio away from the Avalanche’s top lane, which has had them rolling in the first two games. Palat has points in all eight of the Lightning’s home games and is tied for fourth in shots on goal at home.
Brands: Darcy Kuemper Under 27.5 (-120)
Tampa Bay’s lack of offense will continue to be a problem Monday night. Having only 29 shots in Game 2, and only 16 at the net, is an indication of how well Colorado’s defense is playing. Lightning’s 28% puck possession, coupled with Avalanche’s relentless defense, tells me Kuemper won’t have much work tonight.
Arda Öcal, ESPN NHL Host: Tampa Bay +170 first period money line
Tampa will come out hot in the first period. They’re down 2-0 in the series, back in their barn, the crowd will be hot, Bolts will be motivated not to let this one slip away. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Tampa finished the first 20 minutes with a 2-0 lead.
List of first goalscorers
Number of times each player has been the first scorer in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay LightningFirst GoalscorerColorado AvalancheFirst GoalscorerSteven Stamkos3Nathan MacKinnon3Corey Perry2Artturi Lehkonen2Pat Maroon2Gabriel Landeskog1Victor Hedman1Andre Burakovsky1Ondrej Palat1Cale Makar1Nikita Kucherov1Valeri Nichushkin1Nick Paul1
Kicks to goal
Tampa Bay LightningAverageColorado AvalancheAverageSteven Stamkos2.4Nathan MacKinnon6.2Nikita Kucherov2Valeri Nichushkin4Victor Hedman2Mikko Rantanen3.2Ondrej Palat2Cale Makar2.8Alex Killorn1.4Gabriel Landeskog2.6
Source: www.espn.com