Lightning v. Avalanche: Get $200 when you bet $50 at WynnBET with code XVIBONUS

Dan Zaksheske Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

Following a thrilling and dramatic Game 1 that saw the Colorado Avalanche secure a 4-3 victory in overtime, the Stanley Cup Final heads to Game 2 tonight. The Avalanche twice had two-goal leads, first going up 2-0 and then 3-1 before the first period even ended.

But Tampa rallied in the second period and scored twice to tie the game at three. After a scoreless third, the game went to overtime, where Andre Burakovsky sent the home fans happy less than 90 seconds into the extra stanza. Overtime has been very good to the Avs in these playoffs, as the victory was their fourth victory in five OT games.

Oddsmakers like the Avalanche to emerge victorious again in Game 2, as well, installing them as favorites on the moneyline at -155. The Lightning are +135 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the goal line (-200). Those odds are courtesy of WynnBET where you can use our promo code, XVIBONUS, to get $200 when you place a $50 bet!

The Avs were the favorites (-180) to hoist the Cup going into the series and their series-opening victory continued to push the odds in their favor. Colorado is -270 to win it all and the two-time defending champions are +220. You can also bet on exact series finishes, with Avs in five (+325) and Avs in six (+350) seen as the most likely outcomes.

With the victory, Colorado has gone a perfect 4-0 in Game 1 in these playoffs and they’re now 13-2 overall in the postseason. The Lightning fell to 1-3 in Game 1, but obviously they’ve twice won the series after losing Game 1. Both Tampa and Colorado are 2-1 in Game 2 so far, so something has to give in this one.

Colorado’s offense has been tough to stop this postseason as they lead all teams with 4.6 goals per game. Tampa, led by all-World goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, has been stingy on defense, allowing just 2.5 goals per contest.

But in Game 1, the Avs dictated the pace and got to Tampa netminder for four goals. The total for Game 2 is set at 6.0 (-110 for either over or under) and Vasilevskiy will have a big say in whether it goes over again. If you think it will, remember to go to WynnBET and use our promo code, XVIBONUS, to get $200 when you place a $50 bet!

In their previous series, Tampa allowed the New York Rangers to score six goals in Game 1. After that, though, the Rangers totaled just eight goals over the next five games. It will be much tougher to slow Colorado down but Vasilevskiy has done it before.

On the other side, Darcy Kuemper returned from injury for the Avs and was able to get the victory, but he faced just 23 shots from the Lightning and allowed three goals (.870 save percentage). Kuemper looked a bit shaky when the pressure was on, so Tampa will look to get back to how they played in the East Final.

In their six games against the Rangers, Tampa averaged 35 shots on goal and never had fewer than 27. In fact, their 23 shots in Game 1 were the lowest total they have posted in the postseason thus far. The 38 shots they allowed Vasilevskiy to face were the second-most he’s seen in their 18 playoff games. Colorado is 12-0 in the postseason when they get at least 35 shots on goal and 1-2 when they don’t. They are also 8-0 when they allow fewer than 30 shots on goal.

Written by Dan Zaksheske, our US sports betting industry expert.

Dan Zaksheske

Dan comes to VegasInsider with over a decade of sports media experience. After spending nearly 10 years as a producer at ESPN Radio, Dan decided to combine his two main passions into one career – sports and writing. Dan is a researched-based writer with a strong attention to detail and penchant for turning nerdy sports stats into entertaining commentary. He is an NFL expert with a strong background in MLB, the NHL, and the PGA. Outside of sports and writing, Dan is an admitted cat-enthusiast with three of his own. He is also a rookie umpire who recently began calling games for middle and high school kids. More from Dan Zaksheske