Avalanche The Choice Over Lightning In Monday NHL Picks

What: Monday NHL Picks
Who: Colorado Avalanche at Tampa Bay Lightning
When: Monday, November 25, 7:00 p.m.

Oddsmakers aren't seeing much to choose between the visiting Colorado Avalanche and the hometown Tampa Bay Lightning in the Monday NHL picks. As the home team, Tampa Bay is set as a marginal -108 underdog. The visiting Avalanche are offered in the NHL betting line as slight -112 away favorites.

Let's look at the latest betting line on this game. Odds are subject to change.

	Puck Line	Moneyline	Total
Colorado Avalanche	+1.5 (+220)	-112	O 6.5 (-120)
Tampa Bay Lightning	-1.5 (-270)	-108	U 6.5 (EVEN)

Hard to believe that it was a little more than two years ago when these two teams were battling in the Stanley Cup final. What a difference that small passage of time is making in the fortunes of the two clubs. The Avalanche (12-9-0) currently are holding the first Wild Card playoff spot. They're seventh in the Western Conference. If the playoffs started today, the Lightning (10-7-2) wouldn't be postseason participants. Tampa Bay is ninth in the Eastern Conference.

There are 11 NHL games on the agenda during a busy Monday night of action, and this is the the game that we think provides the best bets of the night in the NHL picks.

Before we take a further dive into Monday's Avalanche vs Lightning NHL picks and best bets, why not take a look at our handy NHL betting guide to see where the best NHL betting odds and picks are located, including the latest props and futures wagering. As well, these online sportsbook reviews will also aid in helping you decipher which betting site is the one that's going to service your NHL betting needs on a comprehensive basis. And if you're someone who is living life on the move, these are the best sports betting apps that can help you get your NHL bets down in the midst of your busy day.

Colorado vs Tampa Bay Betting Trends

Since their clash in the 2022 Stanley Cup final, which Colorado won in a six-game series, the two clubs have met five times. Tampa Bay is 4-1 straight up in those games. That includes a 2-0 slate at Amalie Arena in which the Lightning have outscored the Avs 11-3.

Colorado, though, is 4-1 SU in the club's past five occasions facing an Eastern Conference opponent. On the other hand, the Avs are 3-8 SU in their last 11 meetings with teams from the Atlantic Division.

Six of the last nine times the Avalanche has visited Tampa Bay, the total has gone over. The under has hit in six of Colorado's past eight road games, however. Tampa Bay is 1-6-2 on the total this season on home ice. The total has gone under in five of Tampa Bay's past seven games and five of the last six home games played by the Lightning.

Overall, the Avs are 6-1 SU in their past seven games. They are 10-5 SU as a betting favorite. Tampa Bay is 3-6 SU over the last nine games. The Lightning are 3-4 SU as an underdog. However, Tampa Bay is 4-5 against the puckline on home ice. The Lightning are 1-4 SU in their last five games against both Western Conference teams and Central Division teams.

Avalanche Beginning To Roll

Following a rugged start, Colorado appears to be righting the ship. The Avalanche are bringing a three-game winning streak to Tampa Bay and a 7-3 SU slate over the past 10 games in which they've held opponents to a 2.60 goals-against average. Colorado is also 6-3 SU on the road this season. The Avalanche opened this two-game swing through the Sunshine State by whipping the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 7-4.

The Lightning dumped the Avs 5-2 in Colorado on October 30. However, Tampa Bay is treading water. The Lightning are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games despite an impressive 2.80 GAA. They are 3-4-2 SU in November.

Players To Watch In NHL Picks

Anthony Cirelli, who scored twice for Tampa Bay in their Oct. 30 win over Colorado, is riding a five-game goal-scoring streak. Nikita Kucherov is leading the Lightning in scoring with 11 goals and 17 assists.

Nathan MacKinnon has accounted for seven goals and 28 assists to lead the Avalanche. Mikko Rantanen delivered a goal and three assists in the win over Florida. Former Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin scored twice in that game and Valeri Nichushkin counted a goal and two assists.

Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev has won his last four starts. During this run of success he's posted a .914 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average. Avalanche rearguard Cale Makar leads NHL defensemen in points (30), goals (eight) and assists (22).

Bet Underdog Avalanche In Monday NHL Picks

After an 0-4 start to the season, Colorado is a solid 11-5. The Avs are 6-1 through the past seven games and 3-0 on their current four-game road trip. They are 6-1 in one-goal decisions.

Colorado Avalanche To beat Tampa Bay Lightning

-112

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By contrast, the Lightning are 3-4-2 in their last nine games and 0-1-1 in their past two outings. They've given up 11 goals in their past two games. Even though Tampa Bay is a solid 6-2-1 SU on home ice, we're going with the hot Avalanche to carry the day as road favorites in the Monday NHL picks.