The 2021-22 NHL season kicks off Tuesday night with a matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Penguins face a daunting task starting the season on the road without Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, while the Lightning are fully healthy, and will be hanging their second straight Stanley Cup banner. Clearly, the champs will be the NHL betting favorites.
The following Penguins vs Lightning NHL betting preview will give you the current odds, betting trends and picks for the opening night matchup, along with a stream link to watch games all season long.
Penguins vs Lightning Opening Night NHL Betting Preview and Stream
NHL Regular Season — Opening Night
Pittsburgh Penguins (0-0, 0-0 Away) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Amalie Arena — Tampa Bay, FL
Coverage: Click here for the stream
The Tampa Bay Lightning opened the shortened 2020-21 NHL season with a 5-1 victory over a struggling Chicago Blackhawks team. Obviously, this was while celebrating the raising of the Stanley Cup banner. Unless something drastic happens, opening night for the Lightning this season should be a carbon copy of last year. The only difference is the team they are going to dominate.
The Penguins come into this game, and this season as a whole, having no identity, a goalie no one trusts and an absent Crosby, Malkin and Jake Guentzel. Rumors of a possible Crosby trade are stronger than ever, leaving Penguins fans and players alike unsure what the rest of the season will look like. The Penguins ended their preseason with two road games and start their regular season with two more, before going back to Pittsburgh for an eight-game home stretch.
If Pittsburgh is able to reach that home stretch with a 1-1 record, they should be very happy. However, the likelihood of that one victory coming against the Lightning is slim to none. Tampa Bay has the best goalie in the NHL, the most talented roster in the NHL, and a burning desire to become the first Stanley Cup three-peat champion since the New York Islanders did it in 1981-82.
Penguins vs Lightning Odds & Spread
NHL Betting odds for Penguins vs Lightning are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: PIT: (+165) | TB: (-200)
Spread: PIT: +1.5 (-150) | TB: -1.5 (+125)
Total: 6 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)
Public (Spread) Betting via Action Network: PIT: (14%) | TB: (86%)
Odds to Win Stanley Cup: PIT: (+2200) | TB: (+700)
Penguins vs Lightning NHL Betting Trends
– Pittsburgh was 26-30 against the spread (ATS) last season.
– The Over was 27-25-4 for the Penguins this season.
– Tampa Bay was 24-31 ATS last season.
– The Over was 26-26-3 for the Lightning last season.
Penguins vs Lightning Stats
– Pittsburgh averaged 3.45 goals per game (GPG) last season (No. 2 in the NHL).
– Pittsburgh surrendered 2.77 GPG last season (T-No. 10 in the NHL).
– Tampa Bay averaged 3.21 GPG last season (T-No. 7 in the NHL).
– Tampa Bay surrendered 2.59 GPG last season (No. 5 in the NHL).
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Penguins vs Lightning Prediction
The Lightning are heavy public favorites for a reason. Tampa Bay should win this season opener with ease and enjoy yet another successful Stanley Cup banner night.
Penguins vs Lightning Picks
Lightning -1.5 (+125) / ML (-200)
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