Lightning Host the Flames in NHL Action

NHL Odds: Top Offensive Clubs Face Off in Tampa Bay

If you’re a fan of offensive hockey, Tuesday’s contest between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Calgary Flames is a game not to be missed. The Nikita Kucherov-led Lightning top all other NHL teams in goals scored per game, averaging 3.78. Not far behind them in second are Johnny Gaudreau and the Flames, who score 3.67 goals per game.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Calgary), FS Sun (Tampa Bay); LINE: Lightning -150; O/U: 6.5 Over -135.

With an elite offense and above-average defense, the Lightning win a ton of games. In fact, they lead the entire NHL in points with 86. That is a cool 12 points better than the second-placed Flames. And year after year, star right winger Nikita Kucherov leads the show. The NHL’s top point-getter has amassed 22 goals and 59 assists on the season. He’s an MVP candidate and will likely make the Flames’ lives difficult on Tuesday. Calgary has hit a bit of a rough patch of late, dropping two-straight games and three of their last four. With a trip to Florida to face the Lightning, they’re hopeful that some warm weather and a change in scenery will help them get back on track. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET, so don’t miss what is sure to be one of the best games of the season.

Nikita Kucherov ended two droughts with authority last time out. The NHL's point leader looks to get on a roll again Tuesday night. Kucherov had gone 11 games without a goal before scoring twice in Sunday's 5-2 victory at Florida. He posted three points after being blanked in two consecutive contests to push his season total to 84.

Kucherov registered a pair of assists in a 5-4 shootout win at Calgary on Dec. 20th. The Flames will try to tighten up defensively after giving up 11 goals while losing the last two meetings with the Lightning. Calgary entered Monday leading the Western Conference with 74 points. They have dropped three of its last four contests (1-2-1) after suffering a 4-3 shootout setback at Vancouver on Saturday despite posting 47 shots.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The Flames are 35-15-6 overall on the season. Left wing Matthew Tkachuk has been kept off the scoresheet in five straight contests and will try to break out of that slump as he plays his 200th NHL game tonight. Left wing Johnny Gaudreau has cooled off a bit with three of his team-leading 75 points in the last five games. Center Sean Monahan managed only two assists in his past five outings to place second on the team with 63 points. Forward Elias Lindholm made the scoresheet in 11 of his last 12 games, including three goals in four contests, and boasts a career-high 61 points. G David Rittich (20-4-5, .915 save percentage), who stopped 32-of-36 shots against Tampa Bay in December, has one regulation loss in his last 14 games.

The Lightning are 41-11-4 on the season. Right wing Ryan Callahan was told by the team recently he was relegated to being the 13th forward. He took advantage of a chance with left wing Ondrej Palat (upper body) out Sunday to score the game-winner and register seven hits. Stamkos is one away from his sixth 30-goal season and first since 2015-16 after scoring Sunday. LW Alex Killorn, who boasts a plus-15 rating this season, is two goals shy of 100 for his career but has one in the last 18 games.

PREDICTION: Lightning 4, Flames 3

NHL Betting Odds & Trends

Calgary Flames
Calgary is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Calgary is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Calgary's last 12 games
Calgary is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Calgary is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games on the road
Calgary is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
Calgary is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Tampa Bay is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 11 games
Tampa Bay is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games at home
Tampa Bay is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Calgary
Tampa Bay is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Calgary

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