BEST LINES:  Pinnacle -½ +212 BET 365 -½ +210 SportsInteraction -½ +210 5DIMES -½ +210

Posted at 11:00 AM EST.

7:05 PM EST. No question that the Avs are flawed in that they are a top-heavy club that relies on their power-play quite often and also relies on their top line to carry them. The secondary scoring has picked up, however, the defense is looking better with each passing week and their goaltending has also been solid. Colorado is coming off a nice win in Sunrise and we’ll look for them to keep that momentum going here but this wager is more of a situational fade against the Lightning.

Indeed, Tampa is elite and have the numbers to support their record. However, it is virtually impossible to win every game and this looks like the perfect spot for the Bolts to take a breather in. You see, the Lightning have played five in a row against Eastern rivals, capped off by Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the hated Bruins. After this one game against a Western foe that they rarely see, the Bolts have two more games against two Eastern foes in the Rangers and Maple Leafs. It would therefore be reasonable to expect Tampa’s intensity level to be much lower here against a West opponent. It’s not like the Bolts are struggling either and need wins. They won all five of those games against Eastern opponents and have now won eight of their past nine games. Complacent and in a vulnerable spot, the Bolts are not going to keep scoring at such a high pace to bail out their second rate backup goaltender.

Therefore:

OT included - Colorado +138 for 1 unit.

Regulation only - Colorado -½ +212 for 1 unit. 

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