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Lightning vs. Rangers Predictions and Odds for Game 1 (Don't Hesitate to Bet on Tampa Bay)

By Iain MacMillan

The Lightning and Rangers will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night.
The Lightning and Rangers will play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night. / Mike Carlson/GettyImages
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The Tampa Bay Lightning are fresh off a 4-0 sweep of the Presidents Trophy winning Florida Panthers, and now they'll head to new York for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Rangers.

The Rangers came from behind for the second-straight series, and are now 5-0 in elimination games in the postseason.

Tampa Bay will try to take one step closer to achieving the rare three-peat, which hasn't been done since the Islanders in the early 1980's.

Let's take a look at the odds via WynnBET for Game 1 of the series.

Lightning vs. Rangers Game 1 Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Lightning -130
  • Rangers +110

Puck line:

  • Lightning -1.5 (+205)
  • Rangers +1.5 (-255)

Total:

  • 5.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Lightning vs. Rangers Betting Trends

  • The UNDER is 5-0 in the Lightning's last five games.
  • Lightning are 5-2 in their last seven road games.
  • Rangers are 4-1 in their last five games vs. Lightning.
  • The UDER is 5-2 in the Rangers' last seven games.
  • Rangers are 6-0 in their last six home games.

Lightning vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick

Getting the Lightning at -130 in this game is a gift that I won't pass up.

The Rangers have had the goaltending advantage in their first two series, and they won solely based on that. They were largely outplayed by the Penguins and the Hurricanes, and the numbers back that claim up. For example, the Rangers are averaging 10.54 high danger scoring chances per 60 minutes while giving up 17.52 high danger scoring chances. That's a difference of 6.98, which is an unsustainable pace.

That's especially true now that their goaltending advantage is rendered moot. The Lightning have the only goaltender in the NHL that can rival Igor Shesterkin. Andrei Vasilevskiy is not only just as skilled as Shesterkin, but he has the experience of being on two Stanley Cup winning teams.

This is the easiest series to date for the Lightning. They'll win Game 1.

Pick: Lightning -130

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

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