The Carolina Hurricanes try to avoid falling behind 3-0 in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning when the two Central Division foes face off on Thursday night.
The Hurricanes lost a pair of close games at home to begin the series and NHL betting lines have them installed as +135 underdogs as they head on the road to face the defending Stanley Cup champions at Amalie Arena in Game 3.
Here are our best Hurricanes vs. Lightning picks and predictions for Game 3 of their playoff series on Thursday, June 3, with the puck dropping at 8 p.m. ET.
Hurricanes vs Lightning game info
• Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
• Date: Thursday, June 3, 2021
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: SN, USA
Hurricanes vs Lightning odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
NHL Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonTampa Bay, looking to put a stranglehold on this series in Game 3, landed on PointsBet USA's odds board at -140 early Wednesday, stretched to -175 this morning, then receded to -145 by 5:30 p.m. ET. Perhaps surprisingly, the backs-against-the-wall Hurricanes are attracting 64 percent of tickets and 79 percent of cash on the moneyline. The total of 5.5 saw the price toggle between Under -130 and Under -135 a couple of times, and it's now at the latter price, with the Under nabbing 67 percent of tickets/61 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameHurricanes vs Lightning series odds
Hurricanes: +500
Lightning: -700
Hurricanes vs Lightning betting preview
Injuries
Hurricanes: Nino Niederreiter (Out), Vincent Trochek C (Questionable).
Lightning: David Savard D (Questionable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Hurricanes are 3-13 in the last 16 meetings in Tampa Bay while the Under has gone 12-3-1 in those contests. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Lightning.
Moneyline pick
The Lightning took the first two games in this series in Raleigh, which were massive wins against a Hurricanes team that was 20-3-5 at home during the regular season. But now the series shifts to Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay where the Bolts have won 44 of their last 61 games.
The Canes had a massive 32-15 edge in shots in Game 2 but the deciding factor was goaltending. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stood on his head while Carolina rookie Alex Nedeljkovic surrendered a pair of goals, including a deep outside shot from Alex Killorn in the second period.
Nedeljkovic had an excellent regular season but he doesn't have the playoff experience of Vasilevskiy and there is a possibility that head coach Rod Brind'Amour will go with veteran Petr Mrazek in nets tonight.
Although Mrazek went 6-2-2 with a 2.06 GAA and .923 save percentage during the regular season, he isn't as good as Vasilevskiy and he hasn't played since May 10 when he surrendered five goals on just 27 shots to Nashville.
The Hurricanes are a very good squad that plays tight defense, dominates on special teams, and ranks near the top of the league in Fenwick For Rating and faceoff win percentage.
However, the Lightning have the more explosive offense, better goaltending, and have simply owned this head-to-head series when playing at home. With the Bolts going 13-3 in the last 16 meetings in Tampa Bay between these Eastern Conference foes, back them tonight.
PREDICTION: ML Tampa Bay (-155)
Over/Under pick
The first two games in this series ended with the same 2-1 scoreline in favor of Tampa Bay. That means the Under has now gone a sizzling 10-1-1 in the previous 12 meetings between these teams.
The Hurricanes were tied for the fourth-fewest goals per game allowed during the regular season with 2.39. As impressive as Mrazek's 2.06 GAA looks, Nedeljkovic was even better posting a 1.90 GAA in 23 games.
Tampa Bay is also in very good hands between the pipes with Vasilevskiy who has been a Vezina Trophy finalist in each of the last four years.
The Russian netminder had a 2.21 GAA with a .925 save percentage during the regular season and was even more impressive at home, going 18-2 with a 1.75 GAA and a save percentage of .936.
Although the Under 5.5 is juiced to -130 today, we're just surprised that it hasn't ticked down to 5 considering how low scoring their head-to-head battles always seem to be. Don't hesitate to back the Under again.
PREDICTION: Under 5.5 (-130)
Hurricanes vs Lightning betting card
- ML Tampa Bay (-155)
- Under 5.5 (-130)
Picks made on 6/3/2021 at 9 a.m. ET
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