The 2022 Stanley Cup Finals got off to a blazing start in Game 1, which ended up with the home-ice Avalanche winning 4-3 in overtime against the Lightning. Game 2 is Saturday, June 18 and we have betting picks on the Stanley Cup matchup right here. Moneyline, puck line, and over/under betting advice are all covered in this article!
2022 Stanley Cup Finals Game 2: Over/Under Pick
Game 1 was a surprising over. Surprising because the Lightning had trended toward the under during the past two series. Here once again in game 2, top NHL betting sites have pegged the over/under at six goals:
We suspect Game 2 will be more low scoring. That’s because Tampa goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy got off to a sluggish start in Game 1, allowing three goals in the first period. What are the odds that happens again? Vasilevskiy is elite — as he proved the rest of the game from period two and on — and we’d think he’ll be sharper next time out.
But let’s not forgot Colorado’s goaltender Darcy Kuemper either. He played so-so in Game 1 but we have to remember it was his first contest back from injury. We’d give him the benefit of the doubt and say he’s also more crisp in Game 2 now that he’s shaken off some rust. All things considered, we’re betting the under six goals here.
2022 Stanley Cup Finals Game 2: Puck Line Pick
Let’s continue to evaluate Game 1 as we look to make our Game 2 pick for the puck line. Despite losing the game, we have to believe Tampa Bay will actually be more confident entering Saturday. Why? Because they didn’t particularly play well during Game 1 and still barely lost.
Here’s a team that was playing on just three days’ rest (as compared to eight for the Avs). Here’s a team that was playing on the road. Here’s a team that went down 3-1 at the end of the first period. Here’s a team that was outshot 38-23 all game long. Based on what we just said, you’d guess the Lightning would’ve been blown out but that’s the farthest thing from the case.
Perhaps it was tired legs after a grueling playoff run. Or if you ask Bolts head coach Jon Cooper, it was lackluster execution. But either way, Tampa was far from their best in Game 1. Can they clean that up by Game 2? We’re betting they do. You give the benefit of the doubt to a two-time reigning championship team, after all.
Lightning covering the spread feels obvious here. No, it doesn’t have the best betting value, but we can’t talk ourselves into Colorado winning by two or more goals. Tampa Bay has either won outright or lost by one goal in 14 of its past 15 games so the betting trend here is obvious.
2022 Stanley Cup Finals Game 2: Moneyline Pick
Not only do we think the Bolts covers the spread, as mentioned, but we’re betting on them to win the game straight up too. Before we tell you why the Lightning is our moneyline pick in Game 2, let’s take a quick gander at the game’s betting odds per popular online sportsbooks:
Our confidence in Tampa stems from their “been there, done that” energy. They’ve started all four postseason series on the road, and guess what? They lost Game 1 in three of those (in the Eastern Conference Finals, they were behind 2-0 on the series too). This is nothing new for defending champs and panic is far from setting in.
Plus, Brayden Point should be a bigger factor in this second matchup. The forward returned from a 10-game absence from injury and contributed an assist in Game 1. Still, the playing rust was apparent. It should gradually wear off as the series goes on, but Game 2 could be a marked improvement for Point.
Take the underdog Lightning to steal Game 2 AND home-ice advantage in the process. We expect the team to come our way stronger than Game 1, which should tilt the scales in their favor.
How To Bet & Watch Stanley Cup Finals Game 2
If Game 1 was any indication, then Game 2 should be must-watch TV. Speaking of which, for those in the United States, the only place to watch the Stanley Cup Finals is on ABC. Game 2 is June 18 at 8 pm EST on the channel, which is available on most TV packages or “skinny streaming bundles” like fuboTV.
Last thing before we let you go: you won’t find better bookmakers to bet on the Stanley Cup Finals — not just Saturday’s game but the rest of the series — than the ones featured underneath. Any one of these sites has the full breadth of 2022 Stanley Cup odds available. Reference the table if you need help picking the best sportsbooks to gamble on.
About the Author
Eric is uniquely suited to be a writer for SBS. For one, he's a journalist by trade. Eric spent a large part of his career, covering sports — high school, college, and professional — for newspapers and online-based sites. However, Eric is a bettor himself too. He has first-hand experience hanging out in smoky sportsbooks and casinos, dealing with the ebbs and flows of gambling, and an understanding of how bookies operate. Both these unique qualities make him an expert bet picker for SBS. You'll also see Eric report on the sports betting industry as a whole.
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