Lightning (-147) @ Stars (5)
Pick: Stars +133
Dallas has probably been the better team for four of six periods so far in the Stanley Cup Final. The Stars got out to a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes in Game 1 and went on to win 4-1 with an empty-net goal in the closing minutes. In Game 2, Tampa Bay came out with the proper sense of urgency in the first period and led 3-0 heading into the intermission. However, Dallas responded in the final 40 minutes getting two goals of its own and having a chance to tie it late. The Lightning held on to even the series but the Stars have to be coming in with confidence having been the better team at even strength most of the series and goaltender Anton Khudoin seems to give them a chance in every game they play.
It appears as if Tampa Bay superstar forward Steven Stamkos may make his playoff debut tonight for the Lightning. Stamkos has yet to play in the league’s restart due to a lower-body injury. It might be the pending return of Stamkos that has caused the market to hold off on making any pricing adjustments. Despite the series being tied at 1 and Dallas being the better team so far, you can still get the Stars at better than +130 on the money line at most sportsbooks. That’s a bet we’ll make every time as the Stars feel like the right value play given how they’ve started the series.