T.M. Selection: Lightning -1.5

I like the Tampa Bay Lightning to win this game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. The defending Eastern Conference Champs have struggled a bit to open up the season. They bring a 1-2 record into this matchup, but they'll be at home for the first time this season here. Tampa Bay still has their main core of superstars including Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy, so I have no doubt that they will turn it around and finish the year off with another playoff berth. The Flyers, on the other hand, somehow bring a perfect record into their first game on the road this year. Last season, Philadelphia was only 25-46-11. This year, they aren't supposed to be good either. The Lightning were 51-23-8 Now, the two will face in a big spot. If the Lightning are to win this game, which they should, they will be right back in it. With a loss, they'll start the season 1-3, which is a bad sign for every team. Expect the "dynasty" of the last few seasons to dominate in their home opener.

T.M. Prediction: 5-2 Lightning.