Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, we will take a look at the games that are happening and give our predictions for each one. There is only one game on the slate for Tuesday, June 1st, the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes.
NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes
Series: Lightning 1 – 0 Hurricanes
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes face off in Game 2 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight. Game 1, played on Sunday was a close contest with the Lightning coming out on top with a goal from Barclay Goodrow to break a 1-1 tie in the third period. Despite the Hurricanes peppering Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy with 38 shots, only rookie defensemen Jake Bean put one in the net.
The Lightning and Hurricanes matched up in eight games throughout the regular season, splitting the wins evenly, 4-4. The Hurricanes finished their season in first place in the Central Division, while the Lightning trailed them in third. In their first-round series, both clubs defeated their opponents in six games to advance. As they face off against each other again tonight, they are about as pretty evenly matched as you can get. Both have extremely powerful offences that find the back of the net, defences that solidly hold down the blue line, and a goaltender that always seems to make the save. So, while this game will be difficult to call, it’ll make for an exciting hockey game and a second-round matchup of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Despite Tampa Bay prevailing in Game 1, the Canes were never outmatched or outplayed. A tough-angle shot from Goodrow slipped past goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic and won the game in the third period. This series has a lot of games to play, but the Hurricanes finding a way to beat Vasilevskiy will be key. After this narrow Game 1 loss, Carolina will come back with their best.
Prediction: Hurricanes win. 3-1.
Main Photo:
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