Tampa Bay Lightning (37-21-4) vs Boston Bruins (28-28-8)
Game Info: Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 3:00 pm (Amalie Arena)
The Line: Betting Odds: Tampa Bay Lightning -258 / Boston Bruins +210 — Over/Under: 5.5
In this article, we will formulate a Bruins vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, March 8th at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Boston Bruins Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins are 28-28-8 this year after they lost to Carolina by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Boston tied the game at two early in the third period, but they turned the puck over in their own zone and allowed Carolina to score the winning goal with about 20 seconds left in the game. The Bruins outshot Carolina by a total of 34-23, won 60.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Boston got both of their goals from Geekie, while Korpisalo stopped 20 out of 23 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Bruins lost to the Predators by a score of 6-3 and the Wild by a score of 1-0. Boston has lost eight of their last nine games and they are currently second to last in the Atlantic standings with 66 points. Boston has scored 2.69 goals per game and they have allowed 3.17 goals against per game, while also going 15% on the power play and 76.8% on the penalty kill this season. David Pastrnak has led Boston with 32 goals, 46 assists, and 268 shots on goal, while Pavel Zacha has added 12 goals, 27 assists, and 111 shots on goal. Jeremy Swayman is 18-21-6 with a 3.00 goals against average and an .896 save percentage this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 37-21-4 this season after they defeated Buffalo by a score of 6-5 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 5-3 in the second period, but they scored the last three goals in the game to secure the nice win. The Lightning were outshot by a total of 33-26, won 54.5% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Bjorkstrand, Guentzel (3), Paul, and Raddysh, while Vasilevskiy stopped 28 out of 33 shots in the win.
Prior to that victory, the Lightning defeated the Blue Jackets by a score of 6-2 but did lose to the Panthers by a score of 2-1 before that. Tampa Bay has won 10 of their last 11 games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 78 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.60 goals per game and they have allowed 2.65 goals against per game, while also going 26.4% on the power play and 80.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 28 goals, 64 assists, and 202 shots on goal, while Brandon Hagel has added 30 goals, 40 assists, and 178 shots on goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy is 30-16-3 with a 2.18 goals against average and a .922 save percentage this season.
Why the Lightning will beat the Bruins
- The Lightning have won each of their last 10 games as favorites.
- The Bruins have lost eight of their last nine games.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as favorites.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last eight road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Bruins have lost the third period in eight of their last nine road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Bruins’ last five road games against the Lightning following a road loss has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Six of the last seven day games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the Lightning’s last six games following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last 12 home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Bruins’ last four games against opponents on a winning streak.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of his last 21 appearances with the Lightning as home favorites.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 10 appearances in day games.
- Jake Guentzel has scored at least one goal in five of the Lightning’s last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one point in each of the Bruins’ last 12 games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one assist in each of the Bruins’ last six games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- David Pastrnak has scored at least one goal in five of the Bruins’ last six games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Bruins vs Lightning Prediction
Boston comes into this matchup really struggling over the last few weeks and they were sellers at the trade deadline, so they should have a rough finish to the season. The Bruins are 10-17-3 on the road this year, while the Lightning are 23-7-2 at home. Tampa Bay has won 10 of their last 11 games and even though they allowed five goals to Buffalo in their last game, their defense has been very good over the last few weeks. I didn’t really trust the Bruins before their moves yesterday and I certainly don’t trust them now, so give me Tampa Bay -1.5 here.