The Toronto Maple Leafs travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning in Game 3. The Lightning evened up the series, defeating Toronto 5-3 in Game 2. This is where you’ll find everything, including team win odds, the over/under, and point spreads.
Tampa Bay Lightning (+100) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (-120)
TOR: 1-1, 4.00 GF/GP, 2.50 GA/GP
TBL: 1-1, 2.50 GF/GP, 4.00 GA/GP
The Lightning struck first and often, figuring out the Maple Leafs’ defensive structure and beating Jack Campbell five times. It was the game Jon Cooper expected out of his team after a lackluster performance in Game 1. Andrei Vasilevskiy continued his domination in games following a postseason defeat, now improving to 15-0 with five shutouts. He was spectacular when he needed to be, holding down the fort during Toronto’s four power play opportunities. Tampa Bay scored three times on the man advantage after being shut out in Game 1.
The blame wasn’t solely placed on Campbell, who got shelled in seven Tampa Bay power plays. Although he conceded five goals, the game could have gotten way out of hand without him. Toronto scored their second shorthanded goal in as many games, and Mitch Marner‘s two-point night brings him to five points in the series. The Maple Leafs will be in a raucous atmosphere for Game 3, as the Tampa Bay crowd will be loud and tenacious.
Point Spread
Tampa Bay – Win By More Than 1 Goal (-1.5, +195)
Both games in this series have showcased each team’s goal-scoring abilities in all situations. The Lightning had something to prove in Game 2 after being shut out and looking sluggish, and they did so in grand fashion. The closest the two teams have come in scoring is by two goals, and you can expect that to stay relatively the same. There won’t be many one-goal games between two teams that boast two of the most potent offensive structures.
The Lightning going 3-for-7 on the man advantage in Game 2 elevated them to the fifth-best power play in the postseason. Expect that trend to continue, especially if some of Toronto’s players don’t hold their emotions in check. With a rocking Tampa Bay crowd and a 1-1 series tie, expect both teams to come flying out of the gates in Game 3.
Total Points
Total Goals Scored – Over 6.5 (+100)
The peculiar thing about Toronto is their $11-million captain John Tavares. He’s been held to just one assist in the first two games and hasn’t looked like himself. Thankfully, the team has both Marner and Auston Matthews clicking, but the concern is how long that will last. In last year’s postseason, the two stars buckled in the final few games of the first round, but they had heroic efforts from the likes of William Nylander. If Toronto can get Tavares scoring, it will become a much different series.
The Lightning got production from all four lines in Game 2, winning the game by committee. While it doesn’t hurt to have your stars carrying the load, Tampa Bay has the depth to suffocate any team’s defense on any given night. Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman had multi-point games, which was a refreshing change compared to Game 1, and you know they’ll be extra motivated in front of their home crowd. Take the over for tonight and expect a goal-scoring frenzy.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
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