Lightning Now a Heavy -560 Stanley Cup Favorite Holding 2-1 Series Lead

• The Tampa Bay Lightning lead the Dallas Stars 2-1 in the 2020 Stanley Cup final
• After Tampa Bay’s convincing win in Game 2, the odds to win the best-of-seven series shifted dramatically
• See how the odds moved, plus lineup notes and unique scheduling circumstances for the upcoming games

Remember when the Stars were slim favorites to win the 2020 Stanley Cup after taking Game 1? It seems like forever ago now.

Tampa Bay beat Dallas 5-2 in Game 3 to grab a 2-1 series lead. Already a -196 favorite in the Stanley Cup odds after Game 2, the Lightning are now north of -500 heading into Game 4.

 Lightning vs Stars Stanley Cup Finals Series Odds

Odds as of Sep. 23rd at DraftKings.

Steven Stamkos’ Return Sparks Lightning in Game 3

Steven Stamkos returned to game action for the first time in 210 days and made an immediate impact. His first-period goal gave the Lightning a 2-0 edge and propelled them to victory. Stamkos played only 2:47 and didn’t receive a shift in the 2nd or 3rd periods but it didn’t matter. The emotional lift from having the captain back on the bench was more than enough.

We have a Stamkos sighting in warmups ahead of Game 3. 👀🎥: @NHL#GoBolts | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/QrDRVEgJsS

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) September 23, 2020

Stamkos ignited something in the key players on Tampa Bay’s roster. The other goal scorers in Game 3 were Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Brayden Point, and Ondrej Palat. That’s a laundry list of the Lightning’s key players. Whether or not Stamkos plays again in the series may not be important. If the top-end players can ride this momentum for two more games, they’ll have a Stanley Cup. Based on the updated odds it’s clearly something that is expected to happen.

Condensed Schedule Favors Tampa Bay

Bubble life caused a unique set of circumstances for the entire playoffs. No travel meant no long trips to clear the mind and let go of a poor performance. Not only is this series being played all in one venue, there aren’t even off days between each game. To avoid going head to head with NFL football, the NHL scheduled three games in four nights, beginning Friday night in Game 4. The Stanley Cup could be won on Saturday, just one day later, if the Lightning are to win Game 4.

SEEN STAMKOS? 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/mwgc3YhJFq

— x – Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) September 24, 2020

Momentum can carry from game to game during a regular series, and with puck drop scheduled less than 24 hours apart for Games 4 and 5, it’s even more likely. The Lightning’s convincing win in Game 3 has them in prime position to ride the wave to the finish line.

They also happen to have the younger core of players. The Stars are relying on big performances from Jamie Benn, Joe Pavelski and Tyler Seguin. Older players need more time to rest and with the NHL draft and free agency coming, the league unfortunately didn’t have time to give.