The New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning meet for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The Rangers lead the series 2-1. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we look at the Rangers vs. Lightning Game 4 odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Rangers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in Game 3 thanks to a pair of power-play goals in the second period by Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. However, New York could not hold the lead, coughing up 3 unanswered goals.
The Lightning were staring into the abyss, down 2-0, and about to face a 3-0 series deficit. Nikita Kucherov struck for a power-play goal midway through the second, and Steven Stamkos managed a PPG in the third to tie things up and get the crowd back into it. Ondrej Palat then notched the game-winning goal with 42 seconds left to win 3-2.
Rangers at Lightning odds 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 7 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Lightning -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-180) | Lightning -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +105 | U: -130)
Rangers at Lightning projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (10-6-0, 2.62 GAA, .930 SV% – postseason) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (9-5-0, 2.54 GAA, .922 SV%, 1 SO – postseason)
Shesterkin allowed 3 goals on 52 shots in Game 3 as he was under siege for most of the afternoon. The goal to Palat with less than a minute to go might stick with him, although that was the only even-strength goal he allowed in the entire game.
Vasilevskiy was hammered for 6 goals on 34 shots in Game 1 in New York, but he has yielded just 5 goals across the past two games on 58 shots. He allowed 2 or fewer goals in 6 of the previous 8 playoff games.
[tipico]
Rangers at Lightning picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 3, Rangers 1
Money line
The LIGHTNING (-180) are a little on the expensive side, and this is my limit for a money line play. But I am feeling the 2-time defending champs, and I think they’ll carry over the momentum from Palat’s late goal in Game 3 to even this series up.
Against the spread
The LIGHTNING -1.5 (+140) are worth a roll of the dice on the puck line. Tampa Bay has won 4 of its past 7 playoff games by just 1 goal, and it might take a late empty-net goal to secure the puck line win. But I think Vasilevskiy has his best showing of the series, notching a 2-2 series tie en route to a pivotal Game 5 back in Manhattan Thursday.
Over/Under
The UNDER 5.5 (-130) is a good play here. Shesterkin and Vasilevskiy have yet to have a low-scoring duel in this series. Sure, Games 2 and 3 each featured a total of 5 goals, but I think defense and goaltending is even better in this game, as high-danger chances will be at a premium as the intensity of the series ratchets to an all-time high.
Watch: ESPN+ has become a must-have for hockey fans. Get access to more than 1,000 out-of-market NHL games, 75 weekly national games, and more all season. Sign up for ESPN+ now!
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]