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Boston (32-20-3) at Tampa Bay (34-14-4)
- When: Feb 1 2026, 6:30 PM
- Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL, USA
- TV: ESPN
Boston vs Tampa Bay NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Tampa Bay -230
Spread: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+117)
Total: 6.0
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Breakdown
Tampa Bay turns Florida into a hockey deep freeze for this outdoor rivalry matchup, and the Lightning arrive scorching hot. They have gone 16-0-2 over their last 18 games, tightening their grip near the top of the Atlantic Division with games in hand. This surge is powered by the usual stars doing exactly what they always do.
Nikita Kucherov is in elite form again, sitting third in the NHL with 82 points through 48 games. Brandon Hagel has turned into a consistent finisher with 25 goals and 49 points, while Jake Guentzel continues to quietly produce at better than a point-per-game pace with 55 points in 52 appearances. When Tampa Bay rolls all three lines with confidence, opponents rarely keep up.
Between the pipes, Andrei Vasilevskiy remains the ultimate safety net. He owns 24 wins in 34 starts, second most in the league, and his ability to settle chaotic moments is especially valuable in an outdoor setting where bounces can get weird. Tampa Bay’s structure, depth, and goaltending make them a heavy favorite in this spot.
Boston Bruins Betting Breakdown
Boston arrives playing solid hockey but under less-than-ideal circumstances. The Bruins have won two straight and currently hold the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, yet they are dealing with key absences. Top centers Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha remain sidelined with upper-body injuries, forcing lineup reshuffles at the worst possible time.
Morgan Geekie has carried the scoring load, leading the Bruins with 30 goals, while David Pastrnak follows with 22. Fraser Minten has stepped up admirably, posting 16 points and a plus-15 rating over his last 15 games and taking on top-line responsibilities. Boston’s effort level has been strong, but depth is being tested, especially against elite opponents.
Matt Poitras made his season debut recently and showed energy in limited minutes, but this remains a Bruins team still searching for consistency down the middle. In an outdoor environment against a locked-in Lightning squad, Boston will need near-perfect execution to stay close.
NHL Prediction and Betting Outlook
Boston can compete early and grind shifts, but Tampa Bay’s firepower and defensive stability should take over as the game settles in. The Lightning are healthier, deeper, and far more consistent right now.
Score Prediction: Lightning 4, Bruins 1
Pick: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+117)
Total: Under 6.0 (-120)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
