The Colorado Avalanche take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in NHL Stanly Cup action on Wednesday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are hoping to win game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on the road. The Lightning only won one game on the road in their previous series with New York. Tampa Bay scored 287 goals this season, good for eighth place among NHL teams. Tampa Bay is the 6th best defensive squad in the league, allowing opponents to score an average of 2.78 goals per game. The Lightning have a strength of schedule ranking of 22nd in the league this season. They are the NHL’s eighth-ranked team in terms of opponent-adjusted scoring margin entering this game.
The Colorado Avalanche, fresh off a 4-0 whitewash of the Edmonton Oilers, will visit the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Avalanche have scored 312 goals this season, for an average of 3.76 goals per game. This puts them in third place among NHL teams. Colorado’s defence is rated 7th in the league, allowing 2.83 goals per game. The Avalanche have had the league’s 26th toughest schedule this season. Colorado has a power ranking of 3rd in the NHL when considering their scoring margin in relation to the quality of their opponents.
Steven Stamkos leads the Tampa Bay Lightning in goal and overall scoring with 106 points after 82 games. With a shooting percentage of 17.4 percent, he has reached his goal total of 42. So far, he’s scored 38.0 percent of his goals on the power play. Victor Hedman, who has 65 assists to go along with his 20 goals, is right behind him. His offensive production has earned him a plus-minus rating of +26.0 while on the ice. Andrei Vasilevskiy is Tampa Bay’s best goalkeeper, allowing 2.49 goals per game on average. He has made 39 quality starts in 63 games, a quality start percentage that is higher than the league average.
Mikko Rantanen leads the Colorado Avalanche in goal and overall scoring with 92 points in 75 games. With a shooting percentage of 14.2 percent, he has reached his goal total of 36. So far, he’s scored 44.0 percent of his goals on the power play. Nathan MacKinnon, who has 56 assists to go along with his 32 goals, is right behind him. His offensive production has earned him a plus-minus rating of +22 while on the ice. Darcy Kuemper is Colorado’s best goalkeeper, allowing 2.54 goals per game on average. In 57 games, he has made 32 quality starts, a quality start percentage that is higher than the league average.
The over-under betting line for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals is set at 6 goals. I propose taking the under in this game since Tampa Bay has only given up three goals in their last three games.
Free Pick: Colorado Avalanche
