The 2022 Stanley Cup Final goes on Wednesday, June 22, with Game 4 from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, so we bring you the best Avalanche vs. Lightning betting pick along with the latest team stats, news, and odds.  

According to MyBookie Sportsbook, it’s a pick ‘em contest with a total of 6.0 goals. The Lightning search for their second straight victory after dropping the first two games of the series at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 

The Avs’ defense fell apart in Game 3                         

After earning an overtime victory in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, the Colorado Avalanche trounced the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-0 in Game 2. The Avs had a 1-0 lead midway through the first period of Game 3 at Amalie Arena, but their defense collapsed and yielded six goals by the end of the second period. 

Colorado suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat this past Monday even though the Avalanche outshot the Bolts 39-34. Gabriel Landeskog converted a pair of power-play opportunities for the Avs, while Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen recorded a couple of assists apiece. 

Darcy Kuemper yielded five goals on 22 shots in Game 3. He was pulled in the second period, and Pavel Francouz gave up one goal on 12 shots in relief. Kuemper is now 8-3 on the postseason, carrying a 2.76 GAA and .892 save percentage. 

The Bolts are back on the winning track                      

The Tampa Bay Lightning extended their winning streak at home to eight games following that 6-2 dismantling of the Colorado Avalanche. They bounced back from a 7-0 loss in Game 2 in style, scoring all six goals through the first 40 minutes of Game 3. 

Ondrej Palat gave the Bolts a 2-1 lead with 5:06 left to play in the first period. It was his seventh goal in the last ten outings. Steven Stamkos finished Game 3 with one goal and an assist, while Nikita Kucherov added a couple of dishes. Kucherov hasn’t found the back of the net in five consecutive games, and the Lightning need more from their dynamic winger. 

Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed a thumping 11 goals across the first two games of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. The 27-year-old netminder put on a strong performance in Game 3 at home and posted 37 stops with a .949 save percentage. Vasilevskiy is now 13-7 with a 2.57 GAA and .920 save percentage in the 2022 NHL Playoffs. 

Trends:

Colorado: 

  • N/A  

Tampa Bay:

  • 8-0 in the last eight games at home 
  • 11-4 in the last 15 games overall  

Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick 

The Avalanche blew a massive opportunity to keep the momentum on their side. On the other side, the two-time defending champions must be fired up following Game 3 success, so I’m going with the Lightning once more. 

Colorado owns plenty of dangerous weapons, but Tampa Bay is a way more experienced team in this matchup. If Andrei Vasilevskiy put on another strong performance, the Lightning will come out on top and tie the series at 2-2.  

Pick: Take Tampa Bay Lightning at -110             

The Total:

I’m a bit disappointed with Darcy Kuemper’s performance this postseason. The Avs’ defense could be vulnerable after a heavy loss in Game 3, while their offense is certainly capable of scoring a couple of goals even against Andrei Vasilevskiy at his best. 

Hereof, I’m going with the over on the totals. The previous two contests have been proper high-scoring affairs, and the Avalanche will continue to push the tempo in this series. 

Pick: Go over 6.0 goals at -105