The defending champions can’t ever be counted out.
Down 0-2, the Tampa Bay Lightning responded in a big way with a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 on Monday. It marks the second consecutive round that the Lightning have been down 0-2, but rattling off four consecutive wins against the Avalanche might prove to be more difficult.
Colorado has been the favorite to win the Stanley Cup for much of the year, and its 7-0 drubbing in Game 2 illustrated the team’s firepower. The Avalanche are still favored to win it all, though the series odds obviously have adjusted at WynnBET’s online sportsbook.
Here’s a look at the updated market for series prices and what to make of it ahead of Wednesday’s Game 4. Remember to view our sportsbook promotions for more details on new offers and bonuses.
Series Odds
Latest Odds (as of June 21)
Colorado -310
Tampa Bay +255
Odds before Game 3
Colorado -625
Tampa Bay +450
Odds before Game 2
Colorado -270
Tampa Bay +220
Odds before Game 1
Colorado -190
Tampa Bay +155
Updated Series Handicap
Lightning 4-2 +1600
Lightning 4-3 +750
Avalanche 4-1 +200
Avalanche 4-2 +375
Avalanche 4-3 +500
Schedule
Game 4: Avalanche at Lightning — Wednesday, June 22
Game 5: Lightning at Avalanche — Friday, June 24
Game 6: Avalanche at Lightning — Sunday, June 26
Game 7: Lightning at Avalanche — Tuesday, June 28
Making Sense Of New Odds
Prior to Game 3, I figured the Bolts would win one of these next two meetings and even predicted it to happen in Monday’s matchup. On Tampa Bay’s home ice, these two teams are closer to a coin-flip and the betting odds for both Game 3 and Game 4 have proved that.
But Colorado is still the better team, and probably wins more of these games than not in Tampa Bay. That’s why you have seen odds for Game 4 shift toward the Avalanche, who are now -115 on the moneyline after being priced around -110 for Game 3.
What does all that mean? I still think the Avalanche are more likely to win Game 4 and then wrap up this series at home in Game 5 on Friday. You can currently bet on Colorado to win the series, 4-1, for a price of +200 at WynnBET. That has always been the better play, rather than betting the updated series numbers.
If you think the Lightning have one more win in them, then consider a 4-2 series handicap wager instead. Given the current odds, that market seems like the best chance at getting any sort of value out of this series.
