The Tampa Bay Lightning (39-22-6) meet the New Jersey Devils (44-16-6) Tuesday in the 1st game of a back-to-back set at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Lightning vs. Devils odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Lightning are looking to rebound after a 3-2 setback against the Winnipeg Jets. Tampa Bay has been uncharacteristically missing a gear lately, going 2-5-2 in the last 9 games.'The offense is averaging just 2.7 goals per game (GPG) in the last 10 games, which is nearly a full goal less than their season average of 3.5 GPG.
The Devils blanked the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Saturday, pulling into a tie with the Canes at 94 points in the Metropolitan Division, although Carolina has a game in hand. New Jersey has won 3 in a row, while picking up at least a point in 8 of the last 9 games, going 7-1-1 during the impressive span.
This is the 1st of 3 regular-season meetings, and in a bit of an NHL scheduling quirk, all of the meetings occur between March 14-19.