The Pittsburgh Penguins host the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday Mar 31, as the Pens look for three straight wins. This is the fourth and final meeting between the teams with Pittsburgh winning two of the first three. NHL oddsmakers at SPORTSBETTING.com have the Penguins as -260 moneyline favs over the Lightning (+220) with the over/under set at 6 goals . Be sure to get your Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Predictions in early at SPORTSBETTING.com
The Lightning (30-34-5-7) have lost seven of ten and three of their last five road games. They are 11-22-4-2 on the road where they average 2.46 GAG and allow 3.72 GAG. They recently lost in Columbus 2-3. They got goals from Mike Lundin and Vincent Lecavalier. Goalie Antero Niittymaki is 3-7 in his last ten with a 3.50 GAA. Overall he’s 20-18-5 with a 2.80 GAA and a .910 SVPCT. The Lightning have no chance at the playoffs but they might have another chance at bagging the No.1 player in the 2010 draft. Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier notched his 23rd goal of the season on Tuesday night and has points in six of his last seven games. All the Lightning can do is play spoiler.
The Penguins (44-25-5-2) have won only four of their last ten games but winners of four of five on home ice. They are 23-10-3-1 at home where they average 3.41 GAG and allow 2.68 GAG. They recently beat Toronto 5-4 (SO) thanks to goals from Tyler Kennedy, Sidney Crosby (2), Matt Cooke and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all shootout chances and got the win. Marc-Andre Fleury is 5-5 in his last ten with a 2.40 GAA. Overall he’s 35-19-6 with a 2.65 GAA and a .906 SVPCT. The Penguins are in a heated battle with the New Jersey Devils for the Atlantic Division crown. Pittsburgh enters Wednesday's action just one point ahead of both the Devils for the division title and the Buffalo Sabres for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Matt Cooke notched his 15th tally on Sunday, a new career-high. Crosby's pair against Toronto marked the first time he's scored this season in the 12 games the Penguins have played without Malkin in the lineup . Malkin (foot) and defenseman Sergei Gonchar (illness) are questionable.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Favorite is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Lightning are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in Pittsburgh.
- Lightning are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
- Penguins are 1-5 in their last 6 vs. Southeast.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins
When: Wednesday Mar 31, 2009 7:30 PM ET
Line: SPORTSBETTING.com
Pick: Pens -260
Point-Spreads.com Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Pens are much better on home ice. Be sure to get your Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Predictions in early at SPORTSBETTING.com Cash in with sign-up bonuses, weekly reload bonuses and free payouts at SPORTSBETTING.com, where betting is safe, secure and easy.
