NHL Stanley Cup Game 5

Lightning (+160) @ Avalanche (-185)

Total: 6 o/u

Entering the 3rd period on Wednesday, everything seemed to be going the Lightning’s way. Up 2-1 and with an opportunity to even the series 2-2, Tampa Bay squandered the lead nearly 3 minutes into the final period. The game went into an eventual OT, but the Lightning suffered a heartbreaking loss on a questionable call. 

At the 12:02 mark of OT, Nazem Kadri scored the go-ahead goal to seal the Avalanche’s 3-2 win. However, replays showed there were 6 men on the ice, which many believed should have resulted in a penalty. It was a judgment call to the referees, who determined they did not see too many men on the ice. Unfortunately for the Lightning, the play was not subject to video review, and the game was over.

Now, up 3-1 in the series, the Avalanche are on the verge of winning their first Stanley Cup since 2001. On the other end, the Lightning face an uphill battle to complete their three-peat as they must win the next 3 games – 2 of which are on the road. In fact, Tampa Bay is only 1-4 in their last 5 contests on the road and 1-5 in their last 6 matchups against Colorado.

It would take a miraculous comeback to somehow win the next 3 games for the Lightning. Combine that with the devastating defeat on their home ice, and Tampa Bay may be too demoralized having to travel to Colorado. That is why we are not only taking the Avalanche to win but jumping on the puck line and willing to lay 1.5 goals.

In terms of the total, we like the over tonight. Colorado is a scoring machine at home, recording 11 goals in the first 2 games of this series at home. Expect the Avalanche to come out hot and feed off their home crowd en route to claiming the title.

Colorado wins this one easily.

Avalanche puck line -1.5 (+140)

Over 6 goals