Venue: Amalie Arena.
Game 6. The score in the series is 3-2.
Tampa did not particularly resist away in Game 5 and will now try to close the series at the second attempt, at home in the 6th game. Florida, however, will surely have other plans. Joel Quenneville’s team will do everything they can to get back to the Sunrise for Game 7. Favourite or underdog, whose hopes will be met?
Tampa Bay leave no doubt
Despite the loss, also 1-4, in the previous game, there is little doubt that Tampa will easily take Game 6. The level of this team is off the charts and a second Stanley Cup in a row does not seem out of the question at all. Who can stop Tampa? Certainly, Colorado, who didn’t notice the resistance of St. Louis in the first round, once again confirming their readiness for the title; and, perhaps, the Islanders, the coaching team, always squeezing the maximum.
In Game 5 against the Panthers, the Lightning took the lead early in the first period and seemed to have no trouble at all. The Lightning must have felt that way, as Florida scored two in the second period and built on that early lead in the third. Tampa did not fight back, hitting only 6 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes, pushing the series to Game 6.
Florida do what they can
Beating Tampa in a four-win series is almost impossible. Last season, nobody succeeded. This season, the reigning Stanley Cup champions seem to have become even stronger. Nevertheless, Florida managed, at least, to drag out the encounter until Game 6. First, after losing two games at home, the Panthers forced a comeback in overtime in Game 3, their first away game, and even managed to put 2 pucks in the third period. Now, in Game 5, Joel Quenneville’s team managed to take advantage of their opponent’s complacency.
Mason Marchment scored the game-winning puck in Game 5, but the experienced Patric Hornqvist should also be given credit for the game-winning goal. The Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh scored an important power-play goal early in the third period, and then assisted Frank Vatrano on an empty net shot. In five playoff games, Hörnqvist now has 2+3 goals+passes. In the playoffs, the experienced players usually step forward.
Betting options:
- Tampa to win with a handicap (-1.0) with odds around 2.30;
- Florida Individual Total Under 2.5 for about 1.90;
- Tampa to win the 1st period with odds of about 2.50.
Other predictions
