The Blues are 4-1 in their last five games. They stunned Colorado, 8-2, on the road in their last game this past Saturday. Tampa Bay lost its last two games, both at home to the Blackhawks and to the Hurricanes in their last game four days ago.

Yet the Lightning are a solid road favorite here. The oddsmaker is telling you Tampa Bay is the better team. I agree. The Blues have been playing above their heads.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper is really stressing the importance of this road matchup following two straight home defeats. The Lightning didn't have star scorer Nikita Kucherov against Carolina. Kucherov was ill, but he returned to practice yesterday and is expected to play.