Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 2 Predictions, Odds & Picks

• The Bruins need to keep their Perfection in-tact
• The Lighting have to establish a quicker start
• The trends are going Under

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Bruins vs Lightning Predictions and Picks

The Bruins narrowly edged the Bolts on the board but the game itself told a different story. Tampa will need a much quicker start in game two or the Bruins could be enjoying a two-game lead in a hurry here. Tampa Bay evens the series with a big 4-3 overtime win.

Pick:

Lightning to win at -109

Betting Trends

The total has now gone Under in eight of the Bruins last 10 games. The total has also now gone Under in eight of the Lightning’s last 10. Need we say more?

How to Watch Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning

The final score may have looked pretty close but it didn’t really tell the whole story. The Lighting had some nice chances early on but just couldn’t solve Jaroslav Halak. In fact, it took them until the third period to finally notch a pair and they both came off the stick of Victor Hedman.

They’ll need to match the Bruins effort level shift for shift and cause some traffic in front. If Halak can see the puck he’s going to stop it. The veteran netminder may have begun this postseason as a backup but on almost any other roster he’s logging starting minutes. The guy is pretty darn good and the Bolts will need to find an answer for him in a hurry.

Bruins Will Need Secondary Scoring

The ‘Perfection Line’ of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron combined for five points and 11 shots on goal in game one. They were the spine of the team the whole way through. One would have to think that the Bolts will come out ready for them in-game two though. Well, if not ready then at least a tad more prepared anyhow.

With that said, the Bruins will need some more production from the rest of their boys. Some blueline production would be a huge added bonus as well as the Bolts have shown a lot of weakness clearing their own crease in this postseason.

A few added bodies in front, some better wall work, and some continued precise passing is the way to drown out the Lightning. The Bruins did a great job before falling asleep at the wheel in the final ten minutes of game one. If they can continue that slick puck movement and chemistry a 2-0 series lead won’t be that far away.

Tampa Bay Needs a Bolt of Energy

Sure the Lighting had chances, but they also looked extremely flat in the opening game of this series right out of the gates. Mikhail Sergachev epitomized their dreary opening with numerous lazy plays in the first 20 minutes. The good news is that the game is now over and with that first loss now behind them they can look ahead to hopefully brighter pastures.

Tampa Bay is a talented bunch but they truly require full team efforts more than any other team still standing. Without their captain Steven Stamkos in the lineup, they’ve lacked leadership across the board. It’s like nobody out there at times is willing to set an example. They’re all waiting for someone else to do it.

Case in point, the third period of game one. Victor Hedman scored the lone pair of Tampa goals inside ten minutes of each other. The team almost completed the comeback in the final 90-seconds but it was too little too late. Hedman could be the guy the team leans on in game two for a huge performance as well.

Even though the Canucks lost 5-0 in their second-round opener, you could argue Tampa needs more of a morale boost given what we’ve seen through the past few weeks. This team needs somebody to step up and somebody to give them the jolt they need. Hopefully, it can happen in the first period rather than the third this time around too.