NHL Hockey Betting – Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils (6-3-2) are off to another hot start this NHL wagering season but will now have to get it done without star goaltender Martin Brodeur for the next 3-4 months beginning with its game Wednesday night against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3-3). Tampa Bay started the season with five straight losses but has since rebounded to win four of its last five games against the NHL moneyline. Across the ice, the Devils are now relying on goalie Kevin Weekes in the absence of Brodeur to continue their winning ways this sports betting season.

After a rough start, former ESPN analyst and current head coach Barry Melrose has the Lightning playing well. Although RW Martin St. Louis has struggled on offense with only a goal and 5 assists in 10 games, C Vincent LeCavalier has picked it up for Lightning bettors with six goals and three assists. In their last game, a 3-2 overtime win against the Senators, LeCavalier notched a goal to assist in the Lightning victory.

During their recent winning streak, the Lightning have played a number of close low scoring games and sports gamblers have seen five of their last six games go under the ‘total’ per the closing pro hockey wagering odds. Goaltenders Mike Smith and Olaf Kolzig have been very good in goal for the Lightning this season with a combined 2.24 GAA and a .936 winning percentage with one shutout to date.

LW Zach Parise’s 14 points in 11 games has him as one of the Top 10 scorers thus far in this young NHL season and his knack for scoring has been a benefit to Devils gamblers. Last Saturday night, Parise was named the first star in their 6-1 win against the Thrashers due to his two goal performance. Parise’s offensive explosion has come at a great time with the Devils now missing key veterans D Brian Rolston, C Bobby Holik, and G Martin Brodeur for extended periods of time.

Before Brodeur’s injury, he had uncharacteristically given up 15 goals in his last three games which led to three sports betting losses for the Devils. In his absence, Kevin Weekes has had to step up and indeed he has over the past two games, allowing just three goals and stopping 42 of 45 shots. The Devils goaltending has been responsible for the under going 5-4-2 against the NHL wagering lines this season.

Current NHL betting trends for gamblers to know in this game include that six of the last nine games between these two teams have gone under the ‘total’ by the pro hockey gambling odds and that New Jersey is 8-6-0 against Tampa Bay over the past three seasons.

The NHL gambling odds find the Devils installed as a -140 moneyline home favorite in this game with a ‘total’ of 5.5 goals. BetUS Sportsbook is the best place to wager on the NHL this 2008 sports betting season with lines and ‘totals’ on every game and an easy to use interface. Sign up for an account and find out for yourself today!

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