Lightning vs. Avalanche odds, betting trends: Expert picks, best bets for Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final

Jovan Alford

Lightning vs. Avalanche odds, betting trends: Expert picks, best bets for Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final image

Victor Hedman (L), Nazem Kadri (R)

Game 5 of the 2022 NHL Stanley Final between the Lightning and Avalanche is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Friday in Denver. Before placing any wagers on what could be the final game of the season, we’ll give you all the betting insight you need to know, including the latest odds, trends, and predictions.

The Avs are one win away from hoisting their third Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the Lightning 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday. After the game, Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper pointed out that Colorado had too many men on the ice as Nazem Kadri netted the game-winner.

The Lightning jumped out to an early lead, scoring 36 seconds into Game 4 on a goal from Anthony Cirelli. However, the Avs tied it up in the second period with a goal from Nathan MacKinnon. The two teams went back and forth for the last two periods, with goals scored by Victor Hedman (TB) and Andrew Cogliano (COL). Ultimately, the Avalanche got the last word and are now 5-1 in overtime in this year’s playoffs.

Lightning vs. Avalanche: Odds, betting trends for Stanley Cup Final Game 5

  • Spread: Avalanche -1.5 (+142)
  • Over/under: 6
  • Moneyline: Lightning +157, Avalanche -189

Betting odds per Sports Interaction

Tampa Bay is on the brink of elimination after losing Game 4 on Wednesday. However, the good news for Lightning fans is that they are 2-0 when facing elimination this postseason. It will be tough for Tampa Bay to win two out of three against the Avalanche, who have only lost twice at home in this year’s playoffs.

Lightning vs. Avalanche Game 5: Expert betting picks

Against the spread

Avalanche -1.5. If the value was better for the Lightning on the puckline, we might’ve considered it Their defense has improved in the past two games, but we’re going to roll with the Avs, who return home with a chance to win the Cup on Friday night.

Colorado has been one of the best teams at home in the playoffs, winning seven out of its past nine games and averaging 4.44 goals per contest. The Avalanche are defeating opponents by three goals per game in those wins. Colorado will look to start the game quickly and get Tampa Bay on their heels in the first period.

Over/Under

OVER 6 goals. We failed to cash the OVER in Game 4, which was set at six goals. The total for Game 5 is currently at six, which we’ve seen both teams comfortably go over in three out of the first four games in this series.

Darcy Kuemper and Andrei Vasilevskiy were both tremendous in the net in Game 4, as they saw almost 40 shot attempts each. The Avalanche will continue with their barrage of shots against the Lightning’s goaltender. The over is 4-1 in Colorado’s past five games. Tampa Bay will try to keep up the scoring with Colorado, and it's getting contributions from everyone. Take the OVER in what should be a fast-paced, high-scoring Game 5.

Player prop

Odds courtesy of FanDuel

Victor Hedman over 2.5 shots on goals (-140). There’s some juice on this player prop, but that’s not a bad thing, as Hedman has been aggressive in the past three games. In Game 4, he scored his first goal in the Stanley Cup Final (third in the playoffs) and took seven shots on Kuemper.

The 31-year-old defenseman has gone over 2.5 shots on goals in three consecutive games, which is a good sign for the Lightning’s offense. Tampa Bay will need Hedman to continue to take multiple shots in Game 5.

Jovan Alford

Jovan Alford Photo

Jovan Alford is a content producer for The Sporting News. He joined TSN in 2022 after working at DraftKings Nation as a staff writer. Jovan is an avid Philadelphia sports fan, which comes with its own set of joys but heartbreak at the same time. Jovan is also Philadelphia born and raised and went to school at La Salle University, where he graduated in 2014.