Tonight’s Game 3 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final has arrived none too soon for the Lightning, who were bludgeoned last time out 7-0. Colorado has looked like the absolute superior team for five of the seven periods played between these two, and with a 2-0 lead, they can all but seal up the series with a win tonight — now in Tampa. Of course, this is not new territory for the defending champions, who have been down in multiple series along their title run, including being down 2-0 just last round to the Rangers before running off four straight. To this point in the series, betting on the Avalanche and the over has not failed, so much of the market will likely default on these lines. To help find the best lines, OddsShopper comes to the forefront with projections, expected ROI and win percentage. The NHL season hangs in the balance with the league’s two best teams tonight, so let’s find the best NHL picks today and give a Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 3 prediction.
Best NHL Bets Today: Game 3 Picks & Predictions
Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 3 Prediction
The Lightning get their first crack on home ice to make this a series again, but based upon what the Avalanche have done over the first two games in terms of possession and pure output, they are the preferred option at just -105 here. Over the course of the first two games in the series, the Avalanche are maintaining a 61% Corsi-for and an expected goal total of 6.06 — both marks far and above what the Lightning allowed during the regular season at 52% and 2.98, respectively. For the Avalanche, this is none too familiar, as they paced the league all year in Corsi-for like they have previous years and were third in expected goals for at 3.63 at all strengths. As mentioned at the beginning of the series, much will depend upon Andrei Vasilevskiy keeping this highly skilled team at bay, which he has failed to do thus far, allowing all 11 goals from the Avalanche.
Colorado has looked the much fresher team in the series, literally skating circles around the elder Lightning team, but this team has been here before and will undoubtedly give some pushback. However, it also may be missing a critical piece in pivot Brayden Point, which could swing this number even more in the favor the visiting Avalanche.
Best NHL Bet Today: Colorado Avalanche Moneyline (-105, Caesars)
Ben Rasa gives you his best Lightning vs. Avalanche NHL picks and predictions for Game 3 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final today.
[internal_posts internaltitle="The Latest Sports Betting Content from Awesemo Odds" internalurl="https://www.awesemo.com/odds" internalcat="5511"]Devon Toews O/U 1.5 Shots on Goal (-170, FanDuel)
There is just one NHL prop bet on the board with a higher expected win percentage than Avs defenseman Devon Toews. For the season, Toews averaged well over two shots per game, 158 in 66 games, and he comes into tonight with a similar projected shot total of 2.2. In this year’s playoff run, Toews has hit the over on this number 9 of 16 games but has just one shot on goal in this series, thus the softer line.
Stylistically, this one should play more to the defenseman’s skills, as the Lightning should control the puck a bit more and make adjustments to stop the Avalanche’s daunted attack, keeping the puck on the outside more than it has been to this point. With positive numbers across the board, including an xROI of 5%, this is the best prop bet of the night.
Best NHL Bet Today: Devon Toews OVER 1.5 Shots on Goal (170, FanDuel)
