8:12 pm
June 24

Lightning @ Avalanche

Who will WIN this matchup?

Tampa Bay Lightning (51-23-8)

@ Colorado Avalanche (56-19-7)

 

Starting Goalies:

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB): Confirmed

Darcy Kuemper (COL): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Tampa Bay Lightning: (+175)

Colorado Avalanche: (-210)

 

• Colorado leads the Stanley Cup Final 3-1 after beating the Lightning 3-2 in overtime at Tampa Bay on Wednesday night on what Lightning coach Jon Cooper said was a goal that shouldn’t have counted. Now his team has to climb out of a big hole — and win two road games — to capture its third straight title.

• It is a tough task that has been made even harder with injuries. Brayden Point, who didn’t play in Game 4, is likely out for Game 5 and Eric Cernak didn’t play much Wednesday, leaving Tampa Bay with just five defensemen most of the game. The Lightning are facing elimination after Colorado had a few fortunate bounces in Game 4. The first Avalanche goal went off Nathan MacKinnon’s skate and the tying goal in the third period bounced off Andrew Cogliano’s leg.

• The Avalanche are on the brink of a title, in part because of key lineup decisions. Coach Jared Bednar stuck with Darcy Kuemper in net and he came through with 37 saves Wednesday, and he put Kadri in the lineup for the first time since June 4.

• The party will be big if the Avalanche can close it out on home ice Friday night. They are 7-2 at home in the playoffs, with both losses coming in the second round against St. Louis. Colorado knows it can’t let up despite the 3-1 series lead. Andre Burakovsky is likely out for Friday, and despite his heroics, Kadri’s surgically repaired thumb is not 100 percent.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Colorado Avalanche
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