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Rangers vs. Lightning Prediction and Odds (NYR Working on a Season Sweep of Tampa Bay)

By Matt De Saro

New York Islanders v New York Rangers
New York Islanders v New York Rangers / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages
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The Tampa Bay Lightning will be playing their first home game after a six-game road trip. Tampa Bay went 3-3 in those games and will look for a boost from the home crowd tonight. The Lightning is going to need it considering the Rangers have already beat them twice this year in back-to-back nights.

Another win over the Lightning would give them three wins in their last four games and three total against the Rangers. Here are the odds for tonight’s matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Rangers vs. Lightning Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Rangers +170
  • Lightning -205

Puck line:

  • Rangers +1.5 (-155)
  • Lightning -1.5 (-250)

Total:

  • 5.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Rangers vs. Lightning Prediction and Pick

While the Rangers are 2-0 against the Lightning this year, Tampa Bay has upgraded their roster since then. GM Julien Brisbois decided to trade the Lightning's two first-round picks along with some prospects to bring Brandon Hagel over from the Blackhawks. The 23-year-old phenom has 21 goals and 16 assists so far in 55 games this year in Chicago. 

This is a win-now move for the Lightning who are currently second in the Atlantic Division. But is it a win tonight move? While no news has come out about his availability tonight, the trade went down yesterday. This doesn’t leave a whole lot of time in between. If he doesn’t go tonight, it leaves Tampa Bay shorthanded. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the probable starter in goal tonight and has a .919 save percentage in 47 games. 

The Rangers have the edge in the net with Igor Shesterkin getting the nod tonight. He is having one of the best seasons any goalie has had in the last few years and is running away with the Vezina Trophy race. His .938 save percentage through 40 games is incredibly impressive as is his +31.8 goals saved above expected. 

With two ringers in the net, I think the Rangers and Lightning play to the under here in a low-scoring game. 

Lean: Under 5.5 -105

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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