Lightning at Capitals Game 2 Odds and Predictions – Free NHL Picks 5-1-11

Free NHL Playoffs Picks and Odds – Game 2 Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 5/1/11: The Tampa Bay Lightning look pretty sexy right now being 1 game up on the Washington Capitals and with home ice advantage erased. They led a ferocious assault on the Capitals for all three periods using their speed, agility, and feistiness. In all, the Lightning excelled at keeping the skilled players of the Capitals in check while capitalizing on their mistakes. The 4-2 final tally was not at all indicative of how much the game was favored in Tampa’s direction. After rallying to beat the Penguins in 7 games in the last series, the Tampa Bay Lightning were able to propel that momentum gained and ride with it though the entire opening game of the second round. Also, after posting an exceptional shut-out performance in game 7, Dwayne Roloson looked fantastic between the pipes for the Lightning on Friday night. He saw 28 shots, in which he was able to stop 26 of them, and he was able to control his rebounds against the loose puck happy Caps. Of the 28 shots he faced, 16 of them were prime scoring opportunities from striking distances. Goaltending has always been a question mark that has followed this team, but Dwayne Roloson has made GM Steve Yzerman a smart man thus far. He has single handily won games for Tampa Bay and the defensive unit is no longer required to force shots to the outside. Steven Stamkos and company have proven that they have the ability to win games outright, but it remains to be seen if they have the stamina and toughness to hang around another couple of rounds.

The Washington Capitals were baffled by a momentous Lightning club on Friday night but will seek to regain home ice advantage on Sunday night. They seemed too conservative with the puck and it took them a period and a half to get into the motion of things. Special teams will need to be addressed before Sunday night and head coach Bruce Boudreau will have to find a combination that can get it done on the man advantage. The Capitals were afforded 10 minutes, a half period, of power play time in which they were not able to capitalize once. They were unorganized in their set up and the forwards were not giving the defensemen outlets to pass the puck. Also, the Capitals took 8 minutes of unnecessary penalties in which the Lightning were able to muster out a tally. The slashing, interference, and roughing penalties of the second period were completely ignorant plays and it made for an effortless period on the part of the Lightning. In order for the Capitals to even the series they will have to be much more disciplined and will need to jump out of the gates and seek the opening tally. The Lightning are not so dominant when playing from behind, so it is imperative that Ovechkin and company aggressively pursue the opening tally.

The complimentary selection tonight lies with the UNDER(Check the latest NHL Odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) . After an off night for both defenses on Friday I expect this tilt to be a much more tightly contested affair. The Capitals had been sitting for a good week before the puck drop on Friday night and it was quite evident through a period and a half. They seemed sluggish and slow and their defensive unit gave avenues for the Lightning shooters on a constant basis. Dwayne Roloson continued his streak of solid play and I expect him to give the Capitals a frustrating series between the pipes. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games when playing Washington. Also, the total has gone UNDER in 18 of Washington’s last 25 games at home. We will consider a much more calculated defensive minded approach on the part of both clubs tonight in what is shaping up to be a low scoring game two. Cheers!

Free Pick: UNDER 5.5
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