New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, NHL Odds
The Rangers and Lightning have each been able to dig out of the early hole. On paper, they’re fairly similar. They both have 18 points and have split the last 10 head-to-head matchups.
Team fates aren’t decided in November. However, when teams miss the playoffs by just a point or two, it is easy to look back at the close calls from earlier in the season. Even with over 60 games remaining, these points matter. Just four points separate last place in the Eastern Conference from a playoff spot. The Rangers and Lightning should bring a strong effort into this game to collect two points and make for an entertaining watch.
Rangers vs. Lightning NHL Betting Odds
The Lightning are slight favourites (-150) on the NHL odds against the Rangers (+125). The game total is set at 6.0, and the Under has slightly shorter odds (-115) compared to the Over (-105). Home road splits favour the Rangers on the season as a whole. But their 4-1 record in their last five road games is matched by a 4-1 record in Tampa’s latest five home games.
Game total trends have seen more Unders. Low totals have largely been the result of strong goal prevention as New York ranks fourth in the NHL in goals allowed per game, while Tampa ranks eighth. This one has the makings of a close, low-scoring affair.
New York Rangers
It has been a bizarre season for the Rangers so far. They have been almost alarmingly bad at home and perhaps unsustainably good on the road. It has truly been a tale of two teams, depending on where the Rangers are playing on a given night. On Monday, they finally broke through and won their first home game of the year by putting up six goals on Nashville.
Before Monday’s win, the Rangers were 0-6-1 with just six goals scored at home. Fortunately for them, their 7-1-1 and +12 goal differential on the road has them keeping up in the East. While that is a trend that bodes well for the Rangers tonight, they will have their work cut out for them against a rolling Lightning team.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are one of the hottest teams in the NHL entering Wednesday. While there was not exactly panic after a 1-4-2 start, their current 7-1-0 run has been much welcomed. During Tampa’s current stretch of great hockey, they beat Vegas twice, Anaheim, Dallas, Nashville, Utah, and Washington. That is not exactly an easy stretch of opponents against which to go on a run.
Tampa’s sole loss during this stretch was just a 3-2 defeat to Colorado, who look like the best team in the NHL. The Lightning have also righted the ship at home. They have won four straight in front of their fans against strong opponents, which could be an important factor tonight, facing a team that excels on the road.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Rangers vs. Lightning?
The Lightning have the body of work over the last decade, as well as a more impressive current run than the Rangers, to be the more reliable play. Tampa has been a model of consistency and excellence in the NHL under Jon Cooper.
Their early-season turnaround looks like a team that got back to what has made them successful under the same system in the past. When the Lightning are clicking, they are as dangerous a team as any in the NHL. They look to be clicking at the moment. Look for a 3-1 Lightning win on Wednesday night.
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