Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh NHL Playoffs Odds Game 2

There is a fine line between winning and losing in professional sports, and a single moment in a game can alter the outcome of a series once you reach the playoffs. That moment may well have come in Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference Final, when Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop was stretchered off the ice in the opening period in Pittsburgh. The Lightning went on to win the game 3-1, but with Bishop’s status still very much up in the air, he Pittsburgh Penguins must be looking at this development as their chance to get back into the series. The Lightning now look like the walking wounded, yet they have been that way for the majority of the postseason, and have still found ways to win. Game 2 is a pivotal one for the Penguins, as losing both games at home may make this series one that they cannot come back in. You can wager on this one and check for more sports betting odds by clicking here.

A Quick Preview of the Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh NHL Playoffs Odds Game 2 & Game Info

When: Monday, May 16 at 8 PM EST Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh TV: NBCSN Radio: Tampa Bay / Pittsburgh Live Stream: NHL.tv NBA Odds: TBA

Why Bet on the Tampa Bay Lightning

The good news for Lightning fans is that x-rays showed no structural damage to Ben Bishop’s leg, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be back for Game 2. There is a sense that Andrei Vasilevskiy will get the start in net for Tampa, and the hope is that he can be as good as he was in relief of Bishop in Game 1. For their part, the Lightning will continue to try and stifle the Penguins offense, which they did a very good job of during the first game. It’s beginning to look as though they may have the Penguins number, as the win in the opening game means that Tampa have now won 4-straight versus the Pens in this current season. 5 in a row could well mean that this series is over early.

Why Bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins

Everyone in Pittsburgh is well aware of the fact that the losing streak against the Bolts is growing, but everyone is still saying all the right things. This is definitely a much better Penguins team that lost 3 in a row to Tampa in the regular season, but they did not show that in Game 1. They did not create a lot of quality scoring chances, and did not really put a whole lot of pressure on the back-up goalie. If it’s Vasilevskiy in bet again for Tampa on Monday night, look for the Penguins to come out with guns blazing early on. If they can bag one early, they could well throw this Tampa team off balance and out of sync.

Expert Betting Pick and Final Score Prediction

It may only be Game 2, but there I already a little air of desperation in Pittsburgh. That is something that can drive a team forward, and I believe that is what will happen here. I’m looking at this series heading back to Tampa tied at 1-1. Tampa Bay Lightning 2 Pittsburgh Penguins 3