Stanley Cup Finals Game 4

Avalanche @ Lightning (-110)

Total: 6.5 goals o/u

The Lightning desperately needed a win in Game 3, and they did just that. Down 0-2 in the series, Tampa Bay came out hot, scoring 2 goals in the 1st and 4 in the 2nd to stamp out any chance of Colorado making a comeback. Steven Stamkos led the way with 1 goal and 1 assist on the offensive front, and Andrei Vasilevskiy notched a remarkable 37 saves in the net to secure the win.

Now heading into Game 4, the Lightning will look to even up the series before home ice shifts back to Colorado. If Game 3 was a must-win, this one is no different. Tampa Bay cannot afford to go down 3-1 and face potential elimination in Colorado, where the Lightning have been outscored 11-3 in this postseason. If Tampa Bay manages to defeat the Avalanche tonight, they will have all the momentum heading back west with the potential to steal a win on the road.

Just like in Game 3, I’m going with the Lightning tonight. We just saw how Tampa Bay is an entirely different and dominant team at home, particularly Vasilevskiy, who was magnificent manning the net. If he can continue his historic postseason play, then the Lightning will be in a position to take the lead and walk away with a win. 

Regarding the total sitting at 6.5 goals, I’m going to buck the trend and back the under. While it did not work out for us last game, I expect the Avalanche to ramp up their defense for this contest and result in a low-scoring affair.

It may be an uphill battle, but I trust the Lightning to even the series. Tampa Bay -110, and the under is our play.