The home team has held serve in every game of the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals so far but the New York Rangers are home underdogs for Thursday’s Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Nitrobetting preps you for the 2022 Stan;ley Cup Finals clash in this Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 2 preview. We share helpful insights that cover team and player stats and the latest NHL betting odds. You can also find timely betting trends and predictions that point you in the right direction.

Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 2 Information

And this was only Game 1… ???? #StanleyCup

????: 8p ET on Saturday on ABC, @ESPNPlus and @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/rR0qhnqauf

— NHL (@NHL) June 17, 2022

• When: Saturday, June 18 at 8:00 pm ET
• Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• TV: ABC, CBC, SN, TVAS
• Radio: 970 WFLA AM (Lightning) // Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Avalanche)
• Live Stream: NHL Live
• NHL Betting Odds: Lightning (+128) / Avalanche (-154)

READ MORE: Can the Lightning Tie Game 2 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final?

Why Bet on the Tampa Bay Lightning?

The Lightning almost pulled off a first game series victory. Tampa spotted Colorado a 3-1 lead in the first quarter. Then after settling down, it was all Tampa until the overtime. Rallying down 3 goals to 1, Tampa managed 2 goals in the second period to tie the match. The Lightning defense was fantastic. It kept Colorado at bay until overtime even though the Avs were the more aggressive team.

Tampa Bay took only 23 shots compared to 38 for Colorado. If Tampa can take more shots or at least control the flow of the game better, they will have a chance to win the second contest.

Why Bet on the Colorado Avalanche?

In the first period, the Avalanche played perfect hockey. Gabriel Landeskog, Valeri Nichushkin, and Artturi Lehkonen all scored goals for the home team. After the first period it looked as if Colorado might run away with it. After Tampa tied things up, it appeared the Avs might fold.

But Colorado kept at it and won the game in overtime. The victory will give the Avs plenty of confidence heading into the second match. Game 2 happens at Ball Arena in Colorado. The Avalanche won’t disappoint their fans.

Lightning vs. Avalanche Betting Trends

• Tampa Bay are 4-1 SU in the last 5 games.
• Tampa Bay are 1-4 SU in the last 5 games against Colorado.
• The total went under in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games.
• Colorado are 6-0 SU in the last 6 games.
• Colorado are 13-4 SU in the last 17 games at home.
• The total went over in 6 of Colorado’s last 9 games.

Lightning vs. Avalanche Expert Betting Predictions

For Tampa, the first game’s almost win was a team effort. Two players, Victor Hedman and Brayden Point, assisted on Nicholas Paul’s first period goal. Nikita Kucherov and Ryan McDonagh assisted on Ondrej Palat’s goal in the second period. Mikhail Sergachev’s goal in the second came after assists from Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli.

The main reason the Lightning gave up the goal in overtime is because they were gassed. Tampa expended an incredible amount of energy crawling back from a 2-goal deficit. Colorado knows only one way to play and that’s to be as aggressive as possible from the opening puck drop. The Avalanche will take as many shots as they can.

So if Tampa can prevent an early game onslaught, and if they control the pace of the match by possessing the puck more, they’ll have a real shot to steal a road victory. Tampa is a great pick at the odds to win Game 2. On Saturday night, the Lightning even up the series.

Where to bet on the NHL with Bitcoin

NHL odds are available all year round here at Nitrobetting. Create a Nitrobetting account now to win tons of bitcoin from the 2022-23 NHL season with our up-to-date NHL futures odds, as well as our special bitcoin Squares and Picks contests throughout the upcoming season!

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2022-23 NHL season. Stay tuned for more hockey previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest NHL betting odds at our online bitcoin sportsbook.