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Bruins vs Lightning Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins continue their hot start to the season as they host the winless Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, October 13, 2025, at TD Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET on NHL Network.
Boston enters at 3-0-0 under new head coach Marco Sturm, marking their fourth 3-0 start in seven years. The Bruins are thriving behind balance and structure, closing out tight games with strong defense and timely scoring. Jeremy Swayman has led the way in goal, allowing just one goal in each of his two starts and maintaining a .956 save percentage.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, has stumbled to an 0-2-0 start. Coach Jon Cooper’s squad fell 5-3 to New Jersey on Saturday after a 5-4 loss to Ottawa in their opener. The Lightning have scored seven goals across two games but have struggled defensively, allowing opponents to dictate pace and shot volume.
Both teams sit in the Atlantic Division, with Boston looking to extend its early-season dominance and Tampa Bay aiming to avoid its first 0-3 start under Cooper.
Line Movement and Odds
The Tampa Bay Lightning opened as -164 moneyline favorites, while the Boston Bruins are listed at +139. On the puck line, Tampa Bay is -1.5 (+151) and Boston is +1.5 (-184). The total for this matchup is set at 6.0 goals, with the over priced at -112 and the under at -109.
Despite the odds favoring the Lightning, early betting trends have shown strong public action backing the Bruins as home underdogs. Boston’s 3-0 start and stingy defense under new coach Marco Sturm have created value at plus money. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, has been outshot by at least nine in both of its games, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has an .855 save percentage to start the season.
Totals bettors have slightly leaned toward the over, given that both clubs have averaged more than three combined goals per game. Boston’s offensive depth and Tampa Bay’s defensive inconsistencies could make the total a key market to watch.
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Matchup Breakdown
Boston Bruins Outlook:
Boston’s start under Marco Sturm has been defined by balance and detail. The Bruins have outscored opponents 9-3 through three games, including a 3-1 win over Buffalo on Saturday. Pavel Zacha, Mark Kastelic, and Sean Kuraly all found the net, showcasing the club’s depth scoring.
The Bruins’ system remains tight defensively. Jeremy Swayman has allowed just two goals on 46 shots across two starts, and the penalty kill has been perfect at 10-for-10. With David Pastrnak and Elias Lindholm leading the top line and secondary players like Morgan Geekie producing, Boston looks sharp across all four lines.
Tampa Bay Lightning Outlook:
The Lightning have scored seven goals in two games but have yet to win. Coach Jon Cooper has pointed to turnovers and poor defensive execution as the biggest concerns. Brayden Point leads the team with four points, while defenseman Darren Raddysh has been an early surprise with two goals.
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed nine goals in two games and will need a bounce-back effort to steady the team. Tampa Bay’s shot totals and zone time have been below their usual standard, and their blue line is still working to find rhythm without Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman logging their usual heavy minutes.
Key Factor:
The matchup comes down to structure versus pace. Boston’s disciplined defensive system and strong goaltending contrast with Tampa Bay’s wide-open style and early-season sloppiness. The first period could dictate the outcome — if the Bruins control possession early, their patient forecheck and defensive layers may frustrate the Lightning into mistakes.
Injuries and Conditions
Boston Bruins
The Bruins remain without defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who continues to recover from a lower-body injury. Jordan Harris filled in well during Saturday’s win over Buffalo, logging an assist in his season debut. Coach Marco Sturm confirmed that Jeremy Swayman will likely start again, with Linus Ullmark available in relief. Check the Boston Bruins team page for lineup confirmations and late roster updates.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay has no major injuries to report, though the blue line continues to shuffle pairings as coach Jon Cooper experiments early in the season. Defenseman Erik Cernak has been eased into minutes after minor preseason soreness, while Andrei Vasilevskiy remains the projected starter. Visit the Tampa Bay Lightning team page for the latest injury updates.
Game Conditions:
Puck drop is set for 1:00 PM ET at TD Garden, where Boston has opened the season with two straight wins. Expect a fast-paced matinee atmosphere with the Bruins’ structured playstyle contrasting Tampa Bay’s up-tempo approach. The ice should favor quick transitions, benefiting both teams’ top lines.
Best Bets and Prediction
The Bruins have looked sharp through three games, playing with structure and confidence under Marco Sturm. Their depth scoring and strong goaltending from Jeremy Swayman have set the tone for a disciplined start. Boston’s defensive layers and penalty kill have shut down opposing top lines, allowing them to control tempo late in games.
Tampa Bay has the talent to respond, but their early issues in puck management and defensive coverage remain a concern. Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov are producing, yet the Lightning’s five-on-five play has lacked rhythm. Unless Andrei Vasilevskiy finds his usual form, Boston’s balance and momentum give them the edge.
Expect a tight matchup, but the Bruins’ team defense and special-teams edge make them a live underdog at home.
- Projected Score: Bruins 3, Lightning 2
- Best Bet: Bruins Moneyline (+139)
- Secondary Lean: Under 6.0 Goals (-109)
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