Avalanche vs. Lightning Stanley Cup Finals Odds and Prediction: Avs the Favorite in 5

The moment has arrived. The Stanley Cup Final is set and two teams remain with a chance to hoist the most coveted trophy is professional hockey.

The Colorado Avalanche have been the favorites since the beginning. They are in the Final for the first time since 2001, and their path has been fairly easy. They completed two sweeps in the first three rounds and have only played 14 games, winning 12 of them.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in their third straight Cup Final, with a chance to make it three straight championships. Their path to the Final saw an elimination of the top team from the regular season, and surviving a 7 game series in the opening round.

Both teams have their eyes on the prize, and in less than two weeks, one of the captains will be lifting the cup. Will it be a first-time winner? Or will it be a three peat?

Colorado Avalanche (Central Division #1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic Division #3) Series Information and Betting Odds

Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Series Schedule, Game Times, and TV Info

• Avalanche vs. Lightning (Game 1 – at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado): Wednesday, June 15, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
• Avalanche vs. Lightning (Game 2 – at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado): Saturday, June 18, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
• Lightning vs. Avalanche (Game 3 – at Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay): Monday, June 20, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
• Lightning vs. Avalanche (Game 4- at Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay): Wednesday, June 22, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
• Avalanche vs. Lightning (Game 5 – at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado): Friday, June 24, time and TV TBD – if necessary
• Lightning vs. Avalanche (Game 6 – at Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay): Sunday, June 26, time and TV TBD – if necessary
• Avalanche vs. Lightning (Game 7 – at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado): Tuesday, June 28 time and TV TBD – if necessary

Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Series Betting Odds

Odds are via BetOnline.

Odds to win the Series

• Colorado Avalanche -180
• Tampa Bay Lightning +155

Series Correct Score Odds

• Avalanche 4-0 (+820)
• Avalanche 4-1 (+410)
• Avalanche 4-2 (+440)
• Avalanche 4-3 (+410)
• Lightning 4-0 (+1600)
• Lightning 4-1 (+980)
• Lightning 4-2 (+570)
• Lightning 4-3 (+610)

Series Total Games Odds

• Four Games: +550
• Five Games: +240
• Six Games: +205
• Seven Games: +200

Avalanche vs. Lightning 2021-22 Season Head-to-Head Results

• October 23, 2021 (at Tampa Bay): Avalanche 4, Lightning 3 (SO)
• February 10, 2022 (at Colorado): Avalanche 3, Lightning 2

Head-to-Head

In the two meetings between the teams this season, shots on goal were plentiful. Between the two games, the Avalanche outshot the Lightning 74-70. However, they were a combined 1 for 15 on the power play, with the lone goal being scored by Nathan MacKinnon in the first game.

Darcy Kuemper and Andrei Vasilevskiy were two of the best goaltenders from the regular season. In their meetings, the two combined to stop 132 of 144 shots for a save percentage of 0.917.

Game 1 saw a 6-round shootout to decide the winner. Ultimately, the sticks came alive for Colorado, and they netted 3 of 6 in the shootout. Tampa wasn’t bad either, putting in 2 of their 6 chances.

Both were close games, each being decided by a goal. If it is any indication of how games will be played in this series, we should be in for plenty of close, nail-biting finishes. In a postseason that hasn’t seen much overtime, this series could deliver bonus hockey in a big way.

The Avalanche have the edge in home ice advantage. The series will start on Wednesday, June 15, and both teams will get some much needed time to prepare for their opponent. Colorado will get even more time as they haven’t played since June 6, after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Series Prediction and Betting Tips

Prediction: Avalanche win the series 4-1

Colorado has only lost 2 games this postseason, and they are undefeated on the road. They will need to stay hot in away games, as the Lightning have only lost one time in front of their home fans during the playoffs.

Colorado is still getting production from all 4 lines, and that is the big reason they are favored in the Final. They are putting an enormous amount of shots on net, and it has been too much for opposing goaltenders to handle.

Colorado in 5 is the most likely outcome according to BetOnline. It also provides great value if you choose to bet series length and series score. The Avalanche have been heavily favored to raise the cup since the season began. They have one more hill to climb before they can say they went wire-to-wire.

The Lightning have not been underdogs much during the postseason, but this will be their toughest test over the last three seasons. I see a win at home, but not much more, as the Avalanche will overwhelm the Tampa defense that has looked unstoppable to this point.