Lightning Sinking Fast in Eastern Conference
The Tampa Bay Lightning is sinking like a rock in the Eastern Conference standings. They have dropped all the way to fourth place in the Atlantic Division trailing the Boston Bruins by 14 points, the Toronto Maple Leafs by 3 and the Montreal Canadiens by 2 points. They have squandered the first three games of a six game home stand by totaling only two points. This is despite getting their star Steven Stamkos back after missing 45 games with a broken leg. The culprit is obviously the trading of Martin St. Louis to the New York Rangers for Ryan Callahan. This is a move that will have Bolts fans fuming for a long time unless they can get things turned around in a hurry. Tampa Bay has now lost five in a row, the last two in shootouts, the last three at home with Stamkos back.
So far Stamkos has not figured in much of the Tampa Bay offense. In fact he has not scored a goal or an assist since his return and that includes in a shootout against the Bruins two games ago. Callahan did get an assist in the most recent shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Lightning will take on the Florida Panthers next on Thursday. Tonight the division leading Bruins visit the Canadiens in a game the Lightning must now pull for the Bruins. As of right now, they would be a Wild Card team and need to catch Montreal to stay out of the Wild Card race and get back into contention to host a first round series. Montreal has lost two in a row after a big win at the Anaheim Ducks. A win tonight for the Habs and they move ahead of the Leafs into second place and perhaps more importantly, third in the Eastern Conference which puts them at home in the first round against the third place team from the Metropolitan Division.
Top Bet has the odds on tonight’s NHL games:
Boston at Montreal– Boston is -1.5 +235 and Montreal is +1.5 -275 ATS. Moneyline is Boston -130 and Montreal +110. We like the Bruins -130 but Montreal +1.5 -275. We think the Bruins win in OT.
Vancouver at Winnipeg– Canucks are +1.5 -260 and the Jets are -1.5 +220 ATS. Moneyline is Canucks 120 and Jets -140. We like the Jets over the slumping Canucks. Take Winnipeg -1.5 +220.
Chicago at Colorado– The Blackhawks are -1.5 +240 and the Avs are +1.5 -280 ATS. Moneyline is Chicago -120 and Colorado EVEN. We are going to go with Colorado EVEN in this one.
Anaheim at Calgary– The Ducks are -1.5 +170 and the Flames are +1.5 -200 ATS. Moneyline is Ducks -175 and the Flames +155. We like the Ducks -1.5 +170 here.
