Bruins vs Lightning Picks and Predictions: Boston Stays Ahead of Tampa in the Standings

The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning are jockeying for playoff position, and whoever wins their game Friday night will take over third place in the Atlantic Division.

The Lightning are in the midst of a nasty three-game losing streak, while the Bruins had their three-game win streak snapped on Tuesday by the Detroit Red Wings.

Can the Bruins overcome injuries to two key players and prevail on the road? Can the Lightning break their three-game slide?

Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Bruins vs. Lightning on Friday, April 8.

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Bruins vs Lightning odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

Both opening odds for the Bruins and Lightning have moved since they came out, with the Bruins going from +125 to +138, and the Lightning moving from -149 to as high as -161, though Caesars kept them at -149.

The total opened at 5.5 and went to six, then dropped back to 5.5. The Over is -109 while the Under is the favorite at -120.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Bruins vs Lightning predictions

• Prediction: Bruins ML (+138)
• Prediction: Over 6 (-109)
• Best bet: Bruins win by one goal (+800)

Predictions made on 4/08/2022 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Bruins vs Lightning game info

• Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
• Date: Friday, April 8, 2022
• Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet 1, Bally Sports Sun

Bruins vs Lightning betting preview

Key injuries

Bruins: David Pastrnak F (Out), Hampus Lindholm D (Questionable), Jakub Zboril D (Out).
Lightning: Ryan McDonagh D (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.

Bruins vs Lightning head-to-head record

Bruins: 3-1-1 SU, 15 goals for.
Lightning: 2-3 SU, 14 goals for. 

Betting trend to know

The Lightning are 1-8 in their last nine games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Lightning.

Bruins vs Lightning picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Moneyline analysis

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a serious funk right now. They have lost their last three games.

Losing to the Washington Capitals by one on Wednesday is understandable. Getting beat at home by one of the worst teams in the NHL, the Montreal Canadiens is not. They are home again on Friday to take on the Boston Bruins and this game is for third place in the Atlantic Division.

The two teams have 93 points, but Boston has the tiebreaker. Whoever wins, however, would be in the last playoff spot in the division. One of the issues with the Lightning might be their usually reliable goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy.

The 2019 Vezina Trophy winner has logged a lot of minutes over the last three years and it might be taking a toll on him. Wednesday’s loss to the Capitals was his fifth defeat in eight games. 

Vasilevskiy is 6-8 over his past 14 and has a .902 save percentage. In his first 41 games, he had a .921 save percentage. Even Tampa Bay’s ninth-ranked defense in goals allowed hasn’t been sharp. In their three losses, they have allowed four or more goals, including six to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Bruins have the No. 6 defense in GAA, but might be without starting defenseman Hampus Lindholm tonight. He suffered an injury Tuesday in the loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

One injury the Bruins will certainly need to overcome is forward David Pastrnak. He was injured in the third period on Monday in the team’s overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pastrnak is tied for ninth in the league in goals with 38. He is also tied for 23rd, along with teammate Brad Marchand, in points with 71.

The star forward's absence wasn’t felt in the team’s win over Detroit, but Tampa Bay is a much better team. Still, Boston could sneak out of the Sunshine State with a victory.

Prediction: Bruins ML (+138 at BetRivers)

Over/Under analysis

Tampa Bay seems to score more when they are home. The Over is 4-0 in their most recent games when they are in their own building. It is also 4-0 when they are favorite at home.

The over has been hitting frequently for both teams. Tampa Bay is 5-0 on the Over in their last five games and 4-0 against Eastern Conference foes. The Bruins are 5-1 on the Over in their last six and 5-1 against Eastern Conference opponents.

In their last 18 games against teams with a winning record, Boston is 13-3-2 on the Over. The loss of Pastrnak is concerning, but Boston scored three goals in the loss to Detroit on Tuesday when he wasn’t in the lineup.

The team has enough firepower and neither goalie has been on fire as of late. The Over should hit.

Prediction: Over 6 (-109 at BetRivers)

Best bet

The Lightning might be at home, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have an advantage. Tampa Bay is 2-3 in their last five games, including losing to the Canadiens, who are the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

The Bruins have won the last two meetings between the teams, including a 3-2 victory two weeks ago. The Bruins also had a one-goal victory on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets in overtime.

Other trends favoring the Bruins are that the underdog is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings, and the road team is also 8-3. Boston should be able to prevail over a slumping Tampa Bay team and escape Amalie Arena with a tight victory.

Pick: Bruins win by one goal (+800 at BetMGM)

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