Pittsburgh is the hottest team and much improved. But the Lightning did go 3-0 versus the Penguins during the regular season and is in a good spot to steal a road win in this Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup final. The high 'dog price makes the Lightning an attractive Game 1 play.

Tampa Bay has deep playoff experience having reached the Stanley Cup finals last season. The Lightning also are the more rested team having last played this past Sunday. Tampa Bay is the more rested team not only because of the layoff, but also having dropped only a combined two games during their series victories against the Red Wings and Islanders. Tampa Bay is 16-5 the past 21 times when playing on three or more days rest.

Pittsburgh concluded a tough six-game series against the Capitals by winning in overtime this past Tuesday. The Penguins may be in letdown mode following that impressive series winner.

The Penguins are the deeper team. Tampa Bay remains without Steven Stamkos (blood clot) and likely will be missing defenseman Anton Stralman, although there's a chance he might play after being out with a broken leg. But the Penguins' depth won't be such an advantage early in the series especially against such a well-rested opponent.

Tampa Bay has the goalie edge with Ben Bishop, who is 8-2 in the playoffs with a 1.89 GAA. Tampa Bay has been the top penalty killing team in the playoffs with a penalty kill percentage of 88.4 percent. The Lightning have surrendered an average of only 1.9 goals per game in their 10 playoff games.