Slam the over in Stanley Cup Final Game 4

Tonight brings us a pivotal Game 4 in the Stanley Cup Final. Tampa Bay finally showed us something on Monday, winning 6-2, but tonight's game is just as important.

A 2-2 series feels miles apart from a series being 3-1. It was great to see the Lightning come alive with shots and goals, and now it's about maintaining that effort.

Whether they do or not is one thing; our betting approach is focused elsewhere.

Betting on goals in Game 4 - The over is 3-0 in this series between Colorado and Tampa Bay, finishing with seven or more goals in every game. Despite scoring just twice on Monday, the Avalanche poured on 39 shots and had a multitude of quality chances throughout the game. The Lightning found room to operate for the first time, and it yielded six goals at home. We're betting that the over reaches six goals. We certainly project Colorado to find the back of the net at a more frequent rate tonight.

The news to monitor ahead of tonight's game is the status of Tampa star Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov was cross-checked late in the third period of Game 3 and did not return to the game. It's hard to imagine he misses this game, but he's very likely to be affected by this injury. Kucherov not on the ice would be a fatal blow for Tampa Bay's chances, as the star RW leads the Bolts in points this postseason. It seems he will suit up, but as a creator for others, we're left wondering how this affects the Lightning's top line of Ondrej Palat, Steven Stamkos and Kuch.

We're turning our attention to Tampa's second line, namely Anthony Cirelli. Cirelli centers this second line and has typically stepped up his shots this postseason when Brayden Point has been out. Point is reportedly out again, and with a potentially hobbled Kucherov altering the Lightning's top-line effectiveness, it will be on this feisty group of forwards in Alex Killorn, Cirelli and Brandon Hagel to deliver a big moment. Cirelli scored in Game 3, and we like him to do it again. We're betting on a Cirelli goal at +335.

On the Colorado end, we like Gabriel Landeskog to find the back of the net again. Landeskog has three goals in this series and has scored five goals in five meetings against Tampa Bay this year. Skating on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon and Valeri Nichushkin has provided Landeskog with quality scoring chances on a nightly basis, and we like his success to continue. You can bet on him to score a goal at +210.

In other news ...

Down to the final four in the College Baseball World Series - The college baseball field has been whittled down to just four teams. We've got Ole Miss (+140), Oklahoma (+185), Arkansas (+450) and Texas A&M (+600). The College World Series semifinal bracket is double elimination, and Ole Miss took down Arkansas in Game 1, while Oklahoma defeated Texas A&M in their first meeting. Our bet is on the Sooners at +185, but it should be an exciting finish to the collegiate baseball season. Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma gets going today at 2 p.m. EST, followed by Ole Miss and Arkansas at 7 p.m.

NHL Awards handed out last night, headlined by Auston Matthews and Igor Shesterkin - The NHL honored some of its best on Tuesday night at the annual awards ceremony, led by Auston Matthews winning the Hart Trophy. Matthews scored 60 goals this year, the most of any player in a decade, and was the heavy betting favorite for much of the season. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy for top goaltender and was a finalist for the Hart Trophy given his value to New York this season. Other notable wins include Cale Makar winning the Norris Trophy for top defenseman and Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider winning the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year.

Rob Gronkowski retires again - For the second time, future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski has called it a career. Gronk has had 11 dynamic NFL seasons as a do-it-all tight end, and some remain skeptical if this is really it. Reports suggest that if Tom Brady calls Gronk in the middle of the season, he could be swayed to rejoin the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs are currently +700 to win the Super Bowl, the best odds in the NFC. If Brady needs his favorite target to get over the hump, don't be surprised if Gronk comes out of retirement again.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll