Lightning vs Hurricanes Odds & Picks – Prediction for Sunday Afternoon Hockey

• The Tampa Bay Lightning (37-18-5) travel to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes (40-12-8) on Sunday afternoon
• Carolina is a slight home favorite at -141 as these two Eastern Conference favorites face off
• See the Lightning vs Hurricanes odds ahead of puck drop on Sunday at 3 pm ET

Now that the dust has settled on the NHL Trade Deadline the real fun can begin.

Both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes were quiet on the actual deadline day. They did all of their heavy lifting beforehand.

In one of the most lopsided deals of February and March, the Bolts sent a package of five picks and Cal Foote to the Nashville Predators for Tanner Jeannot. They also shipped Vladislav Namestnikov to the San Jose Sharks.

The Hurricanes were quiet, but not for lack of trying. They were in on the big fish including Timo Meier, but came away with Shayne Gostisbehere and Jesse Puljujarvi (who currently is working through Visa issues). The two cost them a pick and a player.

Each have played a game since the deadline. Now they get set to face each other in a potential preview of the Eastern Conference Final.

Lightning vs Hurricanes Odds

Carolina welcome Tampa to town as -141 home favorites. In theory the Canes are the only team that can catch the league-leading Bruins for the Presidents’ Trophy. That was before the Hurricanes lost back-to-back games and the Bruins went on their massive winning streak.

The Lightning and Hurricanes find themselves locked in the top five of the Stanley Cup odds. Don’t expect that to change either. Tampa Bay has made three-straight Stanley Cup Finals while Carolina is developing into a powerhouse.

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Odds as of Saturday, March 4th from BetMGM Sportsbook. Check out the BetMGM promo code ahead of Sunday’s NHL action.

Hurricanes Snap Two-Game Skid vs Coyotes

Friday’s win against Arizona was a nice palate cleanser for Rod Brind’Amour’s squad. They had been sagging slightly, but picked up their 40th win of the season.

Sebastian Aho continues to chase Martin Necas for the team lead in scoring, but didn’t make up any ground on Friday. Aho picked up two goals, adding an assist, but Necas scored and added two helpers. Brent Burns continues to be a machine for the ‘Canes, as he had four assists. He has 49 points in 60 games.

Gostisbehere picked up a goal in his Carolina debut.

A #Canes debut Ghost will remember 👏 pic.twitter.com/Dnij4JBuRG

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) March 4, 2023

The fact Carolina is leading the race for the Metropolitan Division is fairly impressive. Aho missed seven games with an injury earlier this year, Andrei Svechnikov went 19 games without a goal (and only has two in his last 24), and they got a whole five games out of Max Pacioretty.

Lightning Chasing Leafs in Atlantic Standings

There isn’t a ton left to be decided in the Atlantic Division. With the Bruins running away with everything, it’s down to the Leafs and Lightning to figure out who gets home ice advantage in round one.

Their recent four-game slide hasn’t helped Tampa. The stunner on Saturday against Buffalo was the latest setback. But with 20 games left, the Leafs’ cushion isn’t insurmountable. Even if Tampa doesn’t look like their typical dominant self.

With all the scoreboard watching I’ve been doing lately, I have to say the Tampa Bay Lightning are struggling recently.

— Jack Richardson (@jackrichrdson) March 4, 2023

One area where the Lightning have lagged behind the three previous seasons is their goals allowed. Tampa is allowing three goals against per game, and their recent results are eye-popping.

On their four-game losing streak, Tampa has given up at least four goals in each game. Including Saturday’s game they have given up at least four in six of their last eight.

Lightning vs Hurricanes Pick

The last time we took a long, hard look at the Hurricanes, it was in the middle of Svechnikov’s scoring drought. It didn’t pan out.

And sure he’s not scoring at his typical pace, but he’s so talented it’s tough to ignore.

Lightning vs Hurricanes Same Game Parlay

Even if Svechnikov doesn’t come through for us, the expectation is Andrei Vasilevskiy starts for Tampa. After Brian Elliott dropped Saturday’s game against the Sabres, this is a huge bounce back spot for Tampa.

It’s hard to say who comes out on top, but this one feels like it will be close.

The Pick: Under 6.0 (-109)