The Tampa Bay Lightning (6-4-2) face the Colorado Avalanche (7-1-5) Tuesday. Puck drop from Ball Arena in Denver Colorado, is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Lightning vs. Avalanche odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Tampa won 2-0
The Bolts have won 5 straight games after a 4-2 win at Utah Sunday as slight (+101) dogs. C Anthony Cirelli drilled his seventh goal of the season as backup tendy Jonas Johansson stopped 25 of 27 shots fired his way. It was a quiet game for RW Nikita Kucherov, who went pointless for the second straight game, and had just 1 SOG. When the Lightning are winning without his contributions, that’s a scary team.
The Avs have lost in regulation once this season, but they’ve dropped 5 of 7 after a 3-2 OT loss at San Jose Saturday. The Avs were -238 favorites as some Sharks loyalists got paid. LW Martin Necas (11th) and C Nathan MacKinnon (10th) each tickled the twine. G Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 20 of 23 in his first start of the season back from injury.
Watch the NHL on Fubo!Expert MLB daily picks: Unique MLB betting insights only at USA TODAYLightning at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:36 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Lightning +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Avalanche -150 (bet $150 to win $110)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning +1.5 (-190) | Avalanche -1.5 (+155)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)Lightning at Avalanche projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (3-3-2, 2.61 GAA, .899 SV%) vs. Scott Wedgewood (7-1-2, 2.53 GAA, .900 SV%)
After a rough start to the season, allowing 9 goals in his first 2 starts, Vassy has been electric. He has allowed 4 goals combined in his last 3 starts against Dallas, Nashville and Vegas. He went 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .933 SV% in 2 starts against the Avs last season.
The Avs go back to Wedge, as this may be a situation a 1A and 1B for a while, and he has been good. He stopped 21 of 23 in a 4-2 win over Vegas Friday. A career backup, Wedgewood hasn’t faced Tampa since 2022-23, when he was a tough-luck loser, stopping 28 of 30.
Lightning at Avalanche picks and predictionsPrediction
Lightning 3, Avalanche 2
I realize the Avs are great at home, but they’ve been kept out of the win column 5 times in 7 games. And you’re going to offer me +125 for Tampa, winning with diminished production from Kucherov – AND Vasilevskiy is in between the pipes?
Give me LIGHTNING (+125) please and thank you.
Give me NIKITA KUCHEROV OVER 0.5 POWER-PLAY POINTS (+150). He rises for this matchup as he had 2 goals and 4 assists in 2 games against Colorado last season. Two of those assists came on the PP.
The Bolts are 3-7 O/U in their last 10, and the Avs are 4-6. Recent matchups have been a little wonky as Tampa has won 8-2, 5-2 and 6-3 in the last 3 meetings. Colorado went through some goalie conundrums, but they have it sorted out now.
Give me UNDER 6 (+100).
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @rdodsonsports on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.