The NHL Second round playoff is back in action on Sunday afternoon as the Boston Bruins will clash with the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida in game five of their best-of-seven series. The Lightning has a solid 3-1 lead in the series as they beat the Bruins 4-3 OT in game four.
Boston Bruins Form
The Boston Bruins were one of the better teams during the regular part of the season. However, they were not able to keep that momentum as they struggled against the Maple Leafs, eliminating them in game seven of the first round. The Bruins started round two with a win in the first game of series. But it seems that they have run out of steam as they have now lost the last three games in a row. The Bruins need to improve their offensive form as they only scored just 6 goals in their previous two games. The Bruins away for is not so great this year as it stands at 24-22. On the road, they have averaged 2.91 goals per game and have allowed 2.63 goals per game in those games.
Although their latest offensive stats are not so good, still Boston has been very good on offence during the playoffs so far as they are the 2nd best team in scoring at 3.64 goals per game, converting on 36.7% of their chances. At the defensive side of the game, the Bruins are placed on the 8th spot in goals allowed, conceding an average of 3.09 goals per game, allowing teams to convert on 25.8% of their chances.
Tampa Bay Lightning Form
The Tampa Bay Lightning were in great form during the regular part of the season. They were dominant in the first round of the playoffs as they trashed the Devils. They kept that momentum as they have won the last three games in this series and are just one win away from moving on to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Lightning has an impressive home record of 33-13 for the season and they have averaged a solid 3.57 goals per game and have allowed 2.91 goals per game in those games. It will be interesting to see Andrei Vasilevskiy will maintain the good form as he was able to stop 29 of the 32 shots that he faced during the last game.
On the offensive side of the game, Tampa Bay is the 4th best in the league in scoring at 3.56 goals per game on the year, converting on 25.7% of their chances. Their defensive stats have been above average in the playoff games as they are 6th in goals allowed, conceding an average of 2.67 goals per game, allowing teams to convert on 25.0% of their chances.
Boston Bruins was one of the better teams during the regular season and their struggle against the Maple Leafs was unexpected. However, based on their recent performances, I think that they are tired and it seems that their consistency during the regular season took its toll on them. On the other side, the Lighting is on the up and they have won the last three games in a row and they have the in-form Andrei Vasilevskiy which will be a great asset for them in this game. I expect the Lighting to finish the job in this game.
My Free Pick & Prediction for Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning today on 5/6/2018 is: Take the Tampa Bay Lightning -180 (money line bet)
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