Arizona Coyotes vs Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Picks

It looked early on like Tampa Bay had slipped from being an elite team, but the return of Andrei Vasilevskiy has rewritten that script. Tampa was 10-14 in October-Novermber, and 15-9 since. The Lightning are 11-5 in their last 16 games as well as 6-1 in their past seven, and they are averaging almost four goals per contest over their last 17 games. The last six games between these teams, besides a 1-0 outlier, have averaged seven total goals per contest. Tampa Bay has put up five or more goals in three of its last five, and I think we have a shootout in Tampa tonight. Make the play OVER the total.

Tampa Bay has won four of six, although it will look to bounce back from a 4-1 loss at Colorado on Monday night when Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 19 shots in his second game back following offseason back surgery. However, the Lightning plan to manage his workload, and Jonas Johansson will be in net for this game for his 18th start this season. Arizona has lost four of six but upset Vegas 2-0 on Saturday, and Connor Ingram got the shutout with 34 saves and he is confirmed for tonight's game. The Lightning have won five of the past seven meetings, and they are 107-41 their past 148 games after scoring two or fewer goals in their previous game. The Coyotes are 21-46 following a win, 18-43 after scoring two or fewer goals their previous game and 17-44 after allowing two or fewer. Take the Lightning as a Max Play. 

Arizona has split its past eight games and comes off a 4-2 victory at Nashville on Monday when Karel Vejmelka had 29 saves and Lawson Crouse scored twice, including the game-winner in the third period. Vejmelka is likely in net tonight and he is 4-0-1 his last five starts and his counterpart is expected to be Brian Elliott as Tampa Bay played last night with Andrei Vasilevskiy stopping 43 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over Colorado. Elliott has a 3.14 goals-against average and .898 save percentage and he was the overtime loser against San Jose on Feb. 7, his last appearance. The past four meetings have gone OVER and the Coyotes are 6-2 OVER following a win, also going 17-5 OVER versus the Atlantic Division. The Lightning are 4-0-2 OVER their previous six games versus teams with losing records. Tampa Bay has lost five of six playing on no rest. Take the Coyotes and the OVER.

Tampa Bay looks to bounce back after losing 3-2 to Colorado on Thursday when it failed to score with an extra skater for the final three minutes and Darcy Kuemper had 36 saves for the Avalanche. Arizona has lost seven of nine, although it does come off a 5-2 win over Seattle with Karel Vejmelka stopping 34 shots. However, the rookie still is only 7-19-0-1 with a 3.43 goals-against average this season, and he is probable in net tonight. The Lightning won the only meeting this season by a 5-1 score in October, and the OVER is 6-2 the past eight meetings at Arizona. Also, Tampa Bay is 35-17-2 OVER playing on no rest, and the Lightning have gone OVER five of their last six road games. The Coyotes are 6-22 in their past 28 home games and 18-42 in their past 60 games following a win. Take the Lightning to win for a Max Play and the OVER.