Play Lightning & Devils Under 5½
Game Time: 10/31/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | bobharveysports.com
Putting the biscuit in the basket has been a struggle for both teams lately, and that makes the Under the wise choice this evening when the New Jersey Devils host the Lightning.
Both of these teams have been struggling to score and win. New Jersey has been held to four goals in its last four games, going 1-for-18 on the power play. Tampa Bay has scored nine goals in its last four games (all losses).
The Devils have netted just 22 goals with Martin Brodeur in net, which might explain his 3-6-0 mark. However Brodeur is 24-14-2 with five ties and a 2.03 GAA in his career against the Florida skaters.
On the Tampa Bay bench, Marc Denis is on the injured list, so the Lightning will go with Johan Holmqvist between the pipes. In his career, Holmqvist is 3-1-0 with a 1.23 GAA in four starts against the Devils.
New Jersey eliminated Tampa Bay in six games in a first-round playoff series last season, but the Lightning opened this season with a 3-1 win over the Devils on Oct. 4. Overall, New Jersey is 1-0 to the Under at home while Tampa Bay is 2-2 on the road to total. Not really an advantage either way there.
I'm going with my first instinct based on the numbers at hand. Neither team has hit their stride yet and until that happens, I'll stay with the Under.
Free Pick: Lightning-Devils Under 5½ (-130)
Game Time: 10/31/2007 07:05 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | bobharveysports.com
Putting the biscuit in the basket has been a struggle for both teams lately, and that makes the Under the wise choice this evening when the New Jersey Devils host the Lightning.
Both of these teams have been struggling to score and win. New Jersey has been held to four goals in its last four games, going 1-for-18 on the power play. Tampa Bay has scored nine goals in its last four games (all losses).
The Devils have netted just 22 goals with Martin Brodeur in net, which might explain his 3-6-0 mark. However Brodeur is 24-14-2 with five ties and a 2.03 GAA in his career against the Florida skaters.
On the Tampa Bay bench, Marc Denis is on the injured list, so the Lightning will go with Johan Holmqvist between the pipes. In his career, Holmqvist is 3-1-0 with a 1.23 GAA in four starts against the Devils.
New Jersey eliminated Tampa Bay in six games in a first-round playoff series last season, but the Lightning opened this season with a 3-1 win over the Devils on Oct. 4. Overall, New Jersey is 1-0 to the Under at home while Tampa Bay is 2-2 on the road to total. Not really an advantage either way there.
I'm going with my first instinct based on the numbers at hand. Neither team has hit their stride yet and until that happens, I'll stay with the Under.
Free Pick: Lightning-Devils Under 5½ (-130)