Lightning vs. Rangers Predictions, Picks & Odds: Expect Goaltending Duel in New York

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05 April 2023

Lightning vs. Rangers Predictions, Picks & Odds: Expect Goaltending Duel in New York

A pair of Eastern Conference elites are set to battle on Wednesday night when the Tampa Bay Lightning invade Madison Square Garden in New York to take on the Rangers. Here is our Lightning-Rangers prediction based on the best NHL odds.

With both the Rangers and Lightning firmly entrenched in not only a playoff spot but their likely postseason positions, there won’t be a lot of desperation on display Wednesday night. Instead, we’ll get a showcase of high-end teams with two of the best goaltenders on the planet.

The Rangers head into this matchup fresh off a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday afternoon. Rangers winger Artemi Panarin collected three assists and goaltender Igor Shesterkin turned away 26 shots to secure the win.

The Lightning are riding a three-game winning streak punctuated by a 5-0 thrashing of the New York Islanders on Saturday night. Bolts defenseman Mikhail Sergachev notched a goal and an assist and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy posted his fourth shutout of the season.

With the table set, here is our best Lightning vs. Rangers NHL prediction (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Lightning vs. Rangers prediction

Lightning vs. Rangers Under 6 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Despite all of the firepower on both sides of the ice, I’m backing the Under here. Tampa has combined with their opponents to score six or fewer goals in four straight games, and most of that can be attributed to Vasilevskiy. The 2018-19 Vezina winner has transformed into a brick wall recently, boasting a sparkling .978 save percentage, miniscule 0.75 goals against average, and 9.67 goals saved above average during that four-game stretch.

The Rangers and their opponents have combined to score six or fewer goals in two of their past three games. Much like Tampa, New York’s own masked man is starting to catch fire, with Shesterkin posting a .937 save percentage, 2.03 goals against average, and 5.39 goals saved above average over his last five starts.

Of course, there’s always a chance the all-world offensive players on both squads end up completely filling the net, but with how well these goaltenders are playing, I wouldn’t bet on it. I envision a 3-2 scoreline.

Lightning vs. Rangers best odds

DraftKings (-110)

Almost every sportsbook is listing the goal total at 6, with the Over and Under listed at an identical -110 or -115. FanDuel’s total is 5.5, so there may be some value there depending on which direction you’re leaning. If you’re set on backing the Over, your safest bet is at FanDuel (-130). On the other side of the coin, if you expect Shesterkin and Vasilevskiy to completely stymie the collective offenses, Under 5.5 at FanDuel is paying out at +106.

For me, I’m expecting a low-scoring affair, but I like the safety of a higher goal total, so I’m backing Under 6 with DraftKings.

Lightning vs. Rangers odds

The Rangers opened as a -125 favorite and they’re currently hovering between -118 and -130 depending on the sportsbook. If you’re backing the Rangers, snatch them up at -118 at FanDuel. Those backing the underdog can look no further than DraftKings where the Lightning are listed at +100.

When considering the O/U, it all depends on how safe you want to go. If you’re backing the Over, the 5.5 goal total at FanDuel is the safest bet (-130). Those expecting a low-scoring game should go to pretty much any other sportsbook where the goal total is set at 6 (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook).