The Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings take to the ice tonight in an NHL Playoffs Game 7 matchup. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on the NBC Sports Network. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Lightning favored to end the series on home ice tonight.
Tampa Bay is heavily favored to win this game as oddsmakers. Detroit found a way to earn a win on the road in Florida in Game 5, giving them a 3-2 series advantage, but the Red Wings weren't able to get the job done on their own ice in Game 6.
The all-important Game 7 between these clubs will officially bring an end to the first round of the NHL Playoffs. Detroit will be without assistant captain and top-line defenseman Niklas Kronwall in tonight's game, he was suspended by the league for a violent hit in Game 6 that wasn't called by officials. Had he gotten a major penalty, maybe he plays in tonight's game. But the entire hockey world saw the incident, so the league took the measure necessary to make an example of him.
The Red Wings will have to find a way to replace him, at least for tonight. The Lightning are one of the best teams in the league in home games and that building will be all kinds of loud tonight. The Red Wings will need to find a way to contain Steven Stamkos and more importantly Tyler Johnson, who has killed them in this series.
Johnson has six goals in the series, scoring twice each in all three of Tampa Bay's wins. Johnson is a plus-6 in those games as well, compared to holding a -3 goal differential in the three losses. Johnson is obviously a key tonight.
Petr Mrazek has done a very nice job in net for the Red Wings and he'll play well again tonight. But Tampa Bay finds a way to get it done in this one, winning a low-scoring, close game.
Free Pick: Tampa Bay
Handicapping Tips: MLB Specialization
What Pro Baseball bettors need to know about betting specialization in major league baseball, with tips and insight from Pregame.com’s Teddy Covers and Steve Fezzik.
$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for the MLB Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!