Calgary (34-15-6) at Tampa Bay (41-11-4)
When: Tuesday, February 12th, 2019
Where: Amalie Arena,
Tampa, Florida
Time: 7:35 ET | TV: FS SUN,
Sportsnet West
Opening Odds: Tampa Bay -151/6.5
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The top teams in their respective conferences meet for what could be a Stanley Cup preview later this Spring when the Calgary Flames visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. The Flames have a slight edge over both the Winnipeg Jets and San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference with 74 points, while the Lightning are 14 points clear of the rest of the Eastern Conference and are well on their way to the President’s Cup Trophy. This game will feature the top point scorer in the league against one of the hottest netminders around. Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov had gone 11 games without a goal before scoring twice in Sunday’s 5-2 victory at Florida and after being blanked in two consecutive contests, recorded three points to push his season total to a league-leading 84. Kucherov notched a pair of assists in a 5-4 shootout win at Calgary back on December 20th as the Flames have given up 11 goals while losing the last two meetings with the Lightning. Calgary has been slumping a bit of late, dropping three of its last four (1-2-1) after a 4-3 shootout setback at Vancouver on Saturday despite recording 47 shots on goal. Flames goalie David Rittich (20-4-5, .915 save percentage) has just one regulation loss in his last 14 games and stopped 32-of-36 shots against Tampa Bay in December.
Calgary’s offense will go as far as their two stars will take them and it starts with left wing Johnny Gaudreau, who leads the club with 75 points and center Sean Monahan (63), who has just two assists in his past five games. Left wing Matthew Tkachuk has cooled off a bit as well, failing to register a point in five straight games and will be playing in his 200th NHL game Tuesday. Forward Elias Lindholm has a career-high 61 points thus far after recording three goals in the last four games.
Kucherov takes all the headlines – and rightfully so – but don’t forget about the rest of this talented Lightning squad including Steven Stamkos, who is one goal away from his sixth 30-goal season. Center Brayden Point is second on the team with 69 points to go along with a +14 rating and a team-leading 15 power play goals. Tampa Bay has the No. 1 power play in the league, connecting on 29.1 percent of their chances. Right wing Ryan Callahan scored the game-winning goal on Sunday and recorded seven hits.
Its really hard to go against Tampa Bay at all this season and while the Flames are having a fantastic season, they’re struggling a bit recently. There’s not much this Lightning team can’t do – No. 1 power play and No. 2 at killing penalties. This is about as short a price you’ll get Tampa for at home. Take it.
Pick: Lightning -150
Flames are 21-8 in their last 29 games as a favorite.
Flames are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
Flames are 9-4 in their last 13 overall.
Flames are 11-5 in their last 16 road games.
Flames are 3-11 in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Lightning are 45-11 in their last 56 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Lightning are 62-16 in their last 78 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Lightning are 11-3 in their last 14 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Lightning are 21-6 in their last 27 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.
Lightning are 21-6 in their last 27 in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation.
Lightning are 39-13 in their last 52 games as a favorite.
Lightning are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Pacific.
Lightning are 40-14 in their last 54 overall.
Lightning are 60-23 in their last 83 games as a home favorite.
Lightning are 58-23 in their last 81 home games.
Lightning are 42-17 in their last 59 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Lightning are 7-3 in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
Road team is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Flames are 6-13 in the last 19 meetings.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
