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Top NHL Picks and Predictions Today (Moneyline and Prop Bets for Lightning vs. Rangers Game 1)

By Iain MacMillan

The Lightning and Rangers will face-off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night.
The Lightning and Rangers will face-off in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night. / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages
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The Avalanche and Oilers delivered in Game 1 on Tuesday night, but we certainly shouldn't be expecting a similar offensive shootout tonight when the Lightning and Rangers open up their series.

I hit my Avalanche -1.5 bet thanks to an empty-netter, which has brought my NHL Playoff betting record back into the green. I'm currently sitting at 35-35-1 (+0.97 units). As an added bonus, I also hit my two props I gave out yesterday, cashing Darcy Keumper UNDER 29.5 saves at -114, and hitting Nazem Kadri anytime goal at +180.

Let's hope for another 3-0 sweep tonight! Here is my top bet for the game, as well as two prop bets to sprinkle on. The moneyline odds are courtesy of WynnBET, and the prop odds are consensus.

Best NHL Bets for Lightning vs. Rangers Game 1

  • Lightning ML -130
  • Igor Shesterkin OVER 28.5 Saves (-115)
  • Nikita Kucherov Anytime Goal +150

Lightning ML -130 vs. Rangers

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.

Igor Shesterkin OVER 28.5 Saves (-115)

There's no reason not to believe that Igor Shesterkin won't get lit up with shots once again. This might be my favorite bet of the playoffs. Heading into the series, the Rangers have allowed 36.58 shots per 60 minutes of play in the postseason. So, if that numbers stays consistent, and Shesterkin doesn't allow 8+ goals, this bet will hit with ease.

He's surpassed this number in 10 of his 14 playoff starts this year. It's the easiest bet on the board for me.

Nikita Kucherov Anytime Goal +150

Let's not get too crazy with our anytime goal scorer prop for Game 1. Nikita Kucherov is the most talented shooter on the Lightning, and it's going to take talent to get the puck past Shesterkin.

He has four goals and 15 total points so far these playoffs, having scored twice in the last round against the Panthers. I think he can notch his fifth of the postseason tonight.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

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