The New York Rangers (19-8-4) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (21-7-4) Friday at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rangers vs. Lightning odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Rangers returned to action after an 11-day hiatus with a 4-3 loss at the Florida Panthers Wednesday. The Blueshirts have won just one of the past five outings. New York has failed to pick up a win in five straight against teams with a winning overall record.
The Lightning were roughed up 9-3 at Florida Friday, as COVID-19 replacement goalies Maxime Lagace and Hugo Alnefelt allowed 9 goals on 37 shots. The good news is that head coach Jon Cooper returned, but several Lightning players remain on the COVID-19 list, including their top two goalies in Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brian Elliott.
Rangers at Lightning odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Lightning -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-230) | Lightning -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +112 | U: -140)
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Rangers at Lightning projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (13-4-2, 2.16 GAA, .934 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Hugo Alnefelt (0-0-0, 9.00 GAA, .700 SV%)
Shesterkin lost last time out, allowing 4 goals on 32 shots in the 4-3 loss at Florida to snap a five-start win streak. He is still 2-1-0 with a 1.84 GAA and .941 SV% in three December starts.
Alnefelt made a relief appearance at the Panthers in what was his NHL debut. He allowed 3 goals on 10 shots after Lagace coughed up 6 goals on 27 shots across the first two periods. For Tampa, Vasilevskiy and Elliott cannot test negative for COVID-19 soon enough.
Rangers at Lightning odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 5, Lightning 3
Money line
The RANGERS (+125) are worth a look as short dogs as they catch the Lightning at a good time. Tampa Bay gets their coach back and is starting to get a little healthier on offense. But as long as the Lightning are down to their two minor-league goaltenders, it’s going to be a tough road to hoe. See Thursday night in Florida.
Against the spread
The Rangers +1.5 (-230) will cost you more than two times your potential return if you’re looking for a little insurance and don’t trust them straight up. You should, though, as Shesterkin is a top-notch goaltender, and that’s the difference here.
PASS.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (+112) is a rather hefty number, but the Lightning replacement goaltenders coughed up 9 goals to the Panthers Friday, and now must return less than 24 hours to try it again. The Rangers have a fairly potent offense, and they should make life tough again for the defending champs.
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