The Tampa Bay Lightning (45-26-6) take on the New York Rangers (45-21-11) in a playoff tune-up Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Lightning vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Lightning have won 3 in a row and allowed just 1 goal in the process. They dispatched the New York Islanders 5-0 Saturday and have had a few days of rest. Tampa is 6 points away from the 2nd spot in the division and can’t fall out of 3rd.
The Rangers are 7-2-1 over the last 10 games after taking down the Washington Capitals 5-2 Sunday. LW Artemi Panarin had 3 assists, and C Mika Zibanejad scored his 39th goal of the season, 2 away from his career high. The Rangers are 5 points behind the New Jersey Devils for 2nd in the division and can’t fall from 3rd.
This game doesn’t mean a whole lot for Tampa. Six points with 5 to go isn’t insurmountable, but it’s improbable. It wouldn’t be a shock to see a snarky goalie swap before puck drop just to keep the other team from seeing their guy so soon before a possible playoff matchup. Keep that in mind and place your bets later in the day to be safe.
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Lightning at Rangers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Lightning +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Rangers -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning +1.5 (-250) | Rangers -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Lightning at Rangers projected goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy (33-20-4, 2.57 GAA, .918 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Igor Shesterkin (35-13-7, 2.52 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO)
Vassy is in playoff mode after allowing 1 goal in his last 3 starts, which came against the Islanders, Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes. He stopped 99 of 100 shots along the way. He’s 1-1 against the Rangers this season with a .953 SV%
Shesterkin has been sharp as well, holding teams to 3 goals or fewer in 10 straight starts. He hasn’t really been tested, either, as he has had fewer than 30 saves in 4 straight games. Shesterkin has been awesome against Tampa this year, going 1-0-1 and stopping 64 of 66 shots.
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Lightning at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 2, Lightning 1
Moneyline
As mentioned, the Rangers are 5 points from moving up in the division, and they have a game in hand over the Devils. With this game being at home and seeing how well Shesterkin locks in against Tampa, I’m going to LEAN RANGERS -120.
Puck line/Against the spread
One goal has decided 4 of the last 7 games between the clubs, and the puck line isn’t the way to go.
PASS and look to the total.
Over/Under
Unless there’s a goalie change, we’re going to hammer the Under. The Under 5.5 has hit in 9 of the last 10 meetings between these teams. A total of 6 is too high if these goalies are playing. The Under is 4-0 in the Lightning’s last 4 and 6-1-1 for the Rangers in their last 8 against teams with a winning record. Wait until the goalies are confirmed and HAMMER the UNDER 6 (-110).
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