Boston Bruins @ Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

In a highly anticipated matchup at home, the Tampa Bay Lightning (30-15-1) play host to the league-best Boston Bruins (38-5-4) tonight starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. FanDuel currently has this game at a pick ’em, with a -110 money line posted for both the Bruins & Lightning and an over/under set at six.

These Atlantic division rivals will take the ice against one another for the third time so far this season. The Bruins hold a 2-0 advantage with wins in both Tampa Bay and Boston back in November. In the first game, Boston put a halt to a four-game heater for the Lightning with a 5-3 win in Tampa Bay. Patrice Bergeron notched the 1,000th point of his career, a remarkable milestone, as four other Bruins netted goals for the win. The bright spot here was a nice two-goal night from Nick Paul, who has increasingly become a crucial asset to the squad.

The second meeting was just over a week later in Boston where the Bruins again came away with a victory, this time 3-1. Taylor Hall scored two goals for the B’s, backup goalie Jeremy Swayman was lights out against the Bolts, and Boston extended a record streak of home wins to start a season to 13 games.

This is definitely a major revenge spot here for the Lightning, as they have just one loss at home since the first game they played the Bruins this season. A hated rival too, the Bolts will hopefully come out with intensity, energy and a solid gameplan to try and knock off the league leaders.

Tampa Bay secured a win two nights ago against the Minnesota Wild, responding nicely after a late road trip skid. Corey Perry had two goals in the second period, responding to both goals scored by Minnesota in the same period. Steven Stamkos also extended his goal streak to four games after a go-ahead goal in the third and Andrei Vasilevskiy earned his 250th win of his career with 33 saves.

The Lightning will look to keep the momentum rolling into this game with the Bruins, but it will definitely be no easy task. Boston already has 80 points on the season, 14 more than the closest teams, as they’ve been a bulldozer all season. Their home record is almost immaculate at 22-1-3, but they seemingly play just as well on the road with a 16-4-1 record. They are also currently riding a six-game winning streak, having won nine out of their last ten games.

INJURIES: Lightning LW Rudolfs Balcers continues his rehab assignment.

Bruins C Tomáš Nosek (foot & upper-body) and LW Jake Debrusk (lower-body) will be out for tonight’s game.

Odds (Courtesy of FanDuel): TBL -110 ML/MIN -110 ML, O 6 -122/U 6 +100

Where to watch: Bally Sports Sun, NHL PowerPlay, ESPN+

Where to listen: Lightning Radio 24/7, 102.5 MHz-FM

Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL

January 26, 2023, 7:00 p.m. ET