Arizona Coyotes vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 12/31/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Arizona Coyotes vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Coyotes (+290) Lightning (-375)

The Arizona Coyotes (13-16-5) are headed to Amalie Arena on Saturday where they will meet the Tampa Bay Lightning (22-11-1). The odds on this game have the Coyotes at +290 while the Lightning are sitting at -375. The total has been set at 7.

The Arizona Coyotes were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 6-3 victory against the Maple Leafs in their previous game. Arizona compiled 11 penalty minutes in this contest. The Coyotes had a impressive offensive output in the victory. They also had 3 chances on the power play and scored 2 goals. In the game, they scored on 6 of the 23 shots they put on goal.

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Arizona Coyotes opponents have tallied 135 power play opportunities (5th in the NHL) and have tallied 35 goals in those attempts. The Coyotes have seen 1,175 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .897. Arizona has taken 837 shots and has a shot percentage of 11.7%. While at even strength, the Coyotes let the opposition score 86 goals while getting 74 on the offensive side of the ice. Arizona has accounted for 116 power play chances and they have scored 24 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a rate of 20.69%. For the year, they have earned 31 points and their points percentage sits at .456. Pertaining to their scoring, the Arizona Coyotes have accounted for 98 goals (26th in pro hockey) so far this year and have given up 121.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Karel Vejmelka. Vejmelka has taken the ice for 77 games during his pro hockey career. He has amassed an overall mark of 24-41-7 and he started in 73 games. Opponents have tallied 247 goals versus Vejmelka in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 3.47. Vejmelka has had 2,520 shots against him and he has 2,273 total saves. His save percentage is at .902 in his 4,271 minutes in the crease. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Vejmelka has 35 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .479.

When they were on the ice last, Tampa Bay played the Rangers in a game where the Lightning got the tie by a final score of 1-1. They had 1 power play opportunity in this matchup but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Lightning scored 1 goal out of the 40 shots on goal they pursued.

Tampa Bay has taken 1,083 shots (19th in hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.08%, while allowing the other team 1,059 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 82.14% on their oppositions 112 tries on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 90.7%. They have a tally of 120 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 26.67%. The Lightning are sitting with 88 goals at even strength and 32 goals (7th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have granted a total of 98 goals to be scored by of a combination of 78 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. For the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a total of 120 goals, 45 points, as well as a points percentage of .662.

For the opposition you will find Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Vasilevskiy holds a career record of 244-110-25 and has played in 390 contests. Vasilevskiy's percentage of quality starts comes out to 57.9% and he has qualified for 220 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has recorded 10,855 saves out of the 11,807 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .919. Teams are averaging 2.50 goals per contest and he has relinquished 952 goals overall. He has made the start in 380 contests and has racked up 22,890 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (-375) and under 6.5 goals

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