Hurricanes vs Lightning Game 4 Predictions
The Carolina Hurricanes will face off against defending Stanley Cup champions the Tampa Bay Lightning at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 5. This will be the 4th game of a best-of-7 series in which the Lightning currently lead the Hurricanes 2-1 in games played to this point. Below, I will be sharing with you my picks and predictions for when these high-powered teams meet Saturday.
Odds, Spreads, and Lines
- Last updated: 12:20 p.m. June 4
- Moneyline: Hurricanes (+135), Lightning (-156)
- Puckline: Hurricanes +1.5 (-195), Lightning -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O +120), (U -140)
Injury Report:
Hurricanes:
- Nino Niederreiter (upper-body) – listed as doubtful
- Vincent Trocheck (lower-body) – listed as doubtful
Lightning:
- Barclay Goodrow (upper-body) – listed as out
- Anders Nilsson (concussion) – placed on Injured Reserve
- David Savard (upper-body) – listed as doubtful
Hurricanes vs Lightning Game 4 Preview
In order to predict the future, we must look back at what’s taken place before arriving at a 2-1 Lightning lead in the series.
All three games have one thing in common: the final outcome was determined by a differential of one goal. Games 1 and 2 the Lightning were able to come out as victors beating the Hurricanes 2-1 in consecutive games to take the 2-0 series lead back to Tampa Bay.
For those thinking the series was over after game 2, the Hurricanes came back strong in game 3 defeating the Lightning 3-2 in overtime on their home ice. Jordan Staal, the longtime Hurricane captain, found the puck on his stick in the overtime period and didn’t let any time waste as he sent it behind the Lightning goaltender and into the net.
With the stage set for game 4, what can bettors expect when the Hurricanes and Lightning take the ice? Another 1 goal game that determines the outcome or will one team simply outwork the other and dominate them on the ice and on the stats sheet? We can’t know for certain, but we can do our best in predicting the outcome for game 4.
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I anticipate the Lightning are able to widen the gap between them and their opponents after game 4. Each game carries a certain meaning. Game 1 you want to come out strong and set the tone for the remainder of the series. If you won game 1 then keep your foot on the gas for game 2, but if you lost then this is your opportunity to improve and make necessary changes.
Game 4 between the two teams carries a different type of meaning than either of the first 3 games. This game tells a story of how badly each team wants to move on. The Hurricanes lost the opening two games of the series in their own barn. The Lightning lost the opportunity to extend their series lead to 3 and now must take advantage of playing at home in game 4.
The Lightning are defending Stanley Cup champions. The year prior to winning the cup, the Lightning had the best regular-season record winning the Presidents Trophy, before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs via sweep by the Columbus Blue Jackets. It seems everything following that moment, the Lightning have learned from.
They don’t want that feeling in their stomachs again knowing how much time and work they put in all season just to watch it collapse in 4 games. The Lightning will take the 3-1 commanding lead back to Carolina where they look to close out the series.
In my opinion, the Lightning are the team to beat. People look at Colorado and what they’ve been able to accomplish this season, but what it boils down to is the fact that they haven’t been here before whereas both the Lightning and Bruins have.
Talent may earn you a couple of goals and a star of the night, but experience wins you championships. The Lightning have a lot of experience that they are able to rely on.
Free Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning ML (-156)
Good Luck!
