Penguins vs. Lightning Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Nov. 30

Nov 14, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Reilly Smith (19) skates with the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Nationwide Arena.
Image Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Pittsburgh Penguins hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (10-10-1) are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (10-8-5) in a highly anticipated matchup. With both teams hovering around the .500 mark, this game could be a crucial pivot point as they strive to climb the ranks in their respective divisions.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds Info

Moneyline: Pittsburgh Penguins +120 (DraftKings) / Tampa Bay Lightning -139 (BetRivers)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Pittsburgh Penguins -198 (DraftKings) / Tampa Bay Lightning +164 (DraftKings)

Total: 6.5 – -105 (FanDuel) / -115 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Nov. 30

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL

TV: ESPN+

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends

  • This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 8 overs and 13 unders.
  • On the road this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 4 overs and 6 unders.
  • As the underdog this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 2 overs and 5 unders.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends

  • This season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 13 overs and 10 unders.
  • At home this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 7 overs and 4 unders.
  • As the favorite this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 6 overs and 6 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning have faced off three times, with the Penguins emerging victorious in each encounter. These matchups occurred on October 15, 2022, February 26, 2023, and March 2, 2023. In these games, the Penguins not only won outright but also consistently beat the spread, achieving a 3-0 record against the spread. The Lightning, on the other hand, failed to cover the spread in any of the meetings. Interestingly, the total score for each game surpassed the set over-under line, resulting in an ‘Over’ outcome for all three games. The home team secured two wins, while the visiting team claimed one victory. The Penguins demonstrated a strong offensive performance across these games, with a total score of 18 goals to the Lightning’s 9. The Penguins’ goaltending was also noteworthy, with save percentages of 0.871, 0.897, and 0.944 in the respective games, showcasing their defensive resilience.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on March 2, 2023, with the Pittsburgh Penguins narrowly defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning with a final score of 5-4. This high-scoring affair was decided in overtime, with Jason Zucker scoring the winning goal, his second of the night. The Penguins entered the game as underdogs with a closing moneyline of +131 and a closing spread of +1.5, yet they managed to overcome the odds. The Lightning, favored with a closing moneyline of -160 and a spread of -1.5, fell short despite goals from key players such as Ross Colton, Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, and Victor Hedman. The game’s total score of 9 comfortably exceeded the over-under line set at 6.5, continuing the trend of high-scoring games between these teams. Both teams had an equal number of faceoffs won and lost at 33 each, and the Penguins had a slight edge in shots on goal with 32 compared to the Lightning’s 31.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Predictions

The Penguins come into the game on a one-game losing streak, looking to bounce back and improve their conference ranking. With star center Sidney Crosby leading the team in points, Pittsburgh’s offense has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. The Penguins’ power play has been a particular area of concern, and they’ll need to capitalize on those opportunities against a Lightning team that has been formidable on special teams.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is looking to snap a two-game losing streak and make a statement at home. The Lightning’s offense is spearheaded by right winger Nikita Kucherov, who leads the team in goals, assists, and points. Tampa Bay’s power play, ranked second in the league, could be the difference-maker in this contest, especially against Pittsburgh’s penalty kill unit. However, the Lightning’s recent games have seen them struggle to find the back of the net, which they’ll need to overcome to secure a win.

Defensively, both teams have had their ups and downs. The Penguins will rely on the goaltending duo of Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith to fend off Tampa Bay’s sharpshooters. Meanwhile, the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to be a key factor between the pipes. The head-to-head matchup between Crosby and Kucherov, two of the league’s premier talents, will be one to watch, as their performance could very well dictate the pace and outcome of the game.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick

Considering the recent trends and the current form of both teams, the ‘Under’ pick seems to be the most logical choice for this matchup. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling with their power play, and despite having the offensive prowess of Sidney Crosby, they have not been able to consistently capitalize on their scoring chances. The Tampa Bay Lightning, while possessing a strong power play, have also faced challenges in scoring during their recent games, as evidenced by their two-game losing streak. Furthermore, both teams have goalies who are capable of stealing games, with Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith for the Penguins and Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Lightning, which could lead to a lower-scoring affair.

While the historic head-to-head information suggests a trend of high-scoring games, the current dynamics present a different scenario. The Penguins’ recent ‘Under’ trend, with 5 unders in their last 5 games, indicates a shift towards tighter, more defensive gameplay. Additionally, the Lightning’s recent scoring difficulties suggest they may not be able to exploit the Penguins’ penalty kill as effectively as in the past. With both teams aware of the stakes and likely to adopt a more cautious approach, this game could very well end with a total score that falls below the over-under line of 6.5.

The Pick: Under 6.5 -105 (FanDuel)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Reilly Smith Shots On Goal 1.5 8/10 -160 +124 1.9 1.88
Jake Guentzel Assists 0.5 7/10 -120 -110 0.7 0.80
Bryan Rust Shots On Goal 2.5 7/10 -140 +110 3.2 3.19

Tampa Bay Lightning

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Nikita Kucherov Assists 0.5 8/10 -215 +165 1.1 1.08
Nikita Kucherov Shots On Goal 3.5 9/10 -160 +124 4.9 4.96