Lightning vs Oilers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: No Rest, No Problem for Bolts

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Edmonton Oilers meet at Rogers Place on Thursday evening for their second and final head-to-head matchup of the regular season.

The Oilers picked up the 3-2 victory at Amalie Arena in Tampa in the first meeting back on Nov. 8, as Warren Foegele scored a shorthanded goal, while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl posted power play goals to give Jack Campbell all of the support he needed.

The Lightning have steamed through the first three games in their current five-game road trip, outscoring the opposition 13-5. Tampa Bay has won five in a row overall. The Oilers are on a four-game heater, so something’s got to give.

Can the Lightning keep storming through the Western Conference on their road trip, or will the Oilers pump out another victory? We’ll discuss in our NHL betting picks for Lightning vs. Oilers on Thursday, January 19.

Lightning vs Oilers best odds

Lightning vs Oilers picks and predictions

The Lightning have not only won five consecutive games, but they’ve picked up four or more goals in each of the victories. That includes Steven Stamkos’ 500th career goal, scored on Wednesday night in a 5-2 triumph over the Canucks.

The last setback for Tampa Bay came on Jan. 6 at Winnipeg, with the Jets doubling up the Bolts, 4-2.

Backup goaltender Brian Elliott made the start in Vancouver on Wednesday, so Andrei Vasilevskiy (20-10-1, 2.45 GAA, .918 SV%) is not only projected to start, it’s nearly a certainty.

The Oilers are expected to counter with Stuart Skinner (12-10-2, 2.96 GAA, .914 SV%). The new daddy hasn’t been in the crease since Jan. 9, but he is back from a personal leave. He was not in the cage for the first meeting in Tampa.

Skinner has allowed three or more goals in each of his three starts in January, going 0-1-1 with a 4.94 GAA and .889 SV% during the span, but chalk the ice-cold play up to the stress of his wife about to give birth any day. Now that the exciting event is in the past, so is the uncertainty of when it will happen, and Skinner should be back with a clear mind.

Still, while the Lightning have picked up just two wins in their past nine trips to Edmonton, Tampa has won five of the past seven meetings overall. The favorite is 10-3 in the past 13 games in the series.

The Lightning are playing much better lately, and the Oilers have actually struggled recently on home ice, going 2-5-2 in their last nine games. 

My best bet: Lightning ML (-110 at FanDuel)

Lightning vs Oilers moneyline analysis

The Lightning have some big-time numbers going in their favor, and have been stacking victories lately. In fact, they are 16-5 in their past 21 games following a victory.

Don’t be dissuaded by the fact Tampa Bay is playing on no rest, as it is 14-6 in its past 20 games in this situation. Toss in the fact that Vasilevskiy will be back in between the pipes, and the quick turnaround shouldn’t be a problem for the three-time Stanley Cup champs.

The Lightning might want to ask the NHL for a special move to the Pacific Division, too, as they are 40-11 in their past 51 games against the division (78.4% win percentage).

Edmonton has won four in a row overall, while going 4-1 in its past five against Eastern Conference foes, and 4-0 in its past four against Atlantic Division foes. That’s all well and good, but the Oilers are 11-23 in their previous 34 games against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or greater – yikes.

Lightning vs Oilers Over/Under analysis

We’re likely to get some firewagon hockey between two teams with explosive offenses.

The Lightning have scored 3.6 goals per game (GPG) to rank No. 5 in the NHL, while their power play is second with a 28.8% success rate. On the flip side, it is rather middling with 2.9 goals allowed per game, although the penalty kill has held down the opposition at 81.8%.

The Oilers have the top unit in terms of the man advantage, hitting at a 31.3% clip, and it is No. 4 in the NHL in goals scored per game. The defense has struggled, though, which is another reason to like the visitors straight up, but also to like the Over.

Edmonton allows 3.3 GPG, and it is just No. 24 on the penalty kill, so you can expect the Oilers to allow plenty. The Over dominates for the Oilers lately, going 18-6-2 in their past 26 games overall, while hitting at a 15-5-3 pace in the past 23 games when working on a day of rest.

Tampa Bay has hit the Over at a 5-2-4 clip in its past 11 games against the Western Conference. Expect more of the same, and the Lightning and Over makes for a solid parlay opportunity.

Lightning vs Oilers betting trend to know

The Lightning have won five of the past seven meetings in this series. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs Oilers.

Lightning vs Oilers game info

Lightning vs Oilers key injuries

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