NEW JERSEY DEVILS @ TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Monday, December 12th, 2011, 7:00PM US
(12:00AM GMT)

---

PREVIEW

Both teams are struggling coming into this Monday night match. The New Jersey Devils are slumping, having won just 2 of their last 7 matches, and the goals have dried up for them, with the team netting less than 2 goals a game through their last 9, well below their season average of 2.32 per game. The Devils are 14-13-1 now, and entertain Tampa Bay, who at 12-15-2 aren't exactly coasting.

Tampa Bay have won just 5 of their last 15 matches, and what has really affected this team is the powerplay, where they have converted just twice in their last 23 chances. They got one on the weekend against Philadelphia, but lost 5-2. Still, New Jersey were also losers on the weekend, going down 2-1 against Montreal.

I'm looking at the home and away records for Tampa Bay and New Jersey respectively and the advantage does seem to lie with Tampa Bay, who are scoring an average of 3 per home game, as much as New Jersey give up when travelling. Tampa Bay give up 2.73 per home game, while New Jersey are scoring just 2.44 when travelling.

I almost decided on a no-play for this one, until I saw New Jersey will be starting Johan Hedberg in goal. Regular goalie Martin Brodeur is out and for me, this makes Tampa Bay the team to bet.

BETTING VERDICT

Having said that, Tampa Bay are a best priced 1.75 over at Pinnacle to win this. While I would recommend this, there is a huge price available on them to win by more than 1, which is the best value bet here.

It is not uncommon for teams leading late in the game to get the opportunity of scoring again into an empty net as their desperate opponents pour forward, and I think we could well see that happen tonight.

The Pick :

Tampa Bay

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 @ 3.41 (Pinnacle)