Lightning vs. Rangers Prediction
The Tampa Bay Lightning have won nine games in a row and reached 100 points for the season entering tonight’s clash at the New York Rangers. Is Tampa Bay going to push the streak to 10 games on the road?
Game Snapshot
27 Tampa Bay Lightning at 28 New York Rangers
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Madison Square Garden at 7:35PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Lightning are a -230 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Rangers are a +190 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6.5 goals. As of Wednesday afternoon, 84 percent of public bets are pouring in on visiting Tampa Bay. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Lightning down Kings in shootout
Tampa Bay recorded a 4-3 home win over Los Angeles in a shootout Monday night to improve to 48-11-4 on the season. The Lightning won the shootout 3-2 with the deciding score being put in by Victor Hedman. Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov also scored in the shootout. Brayden Point gave Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead 1:05 in on the power play, his 36th goal of the season. It was assisted by Stamkos and Kucherov. Anthony Cirelli made it 2-0 later in the first on a goal assisted by Braydon Coburn and Yanni Gourde. The Kings scored three goals in the third period to grab a 3-2 advantage, but J.T. Miller tied it at 3-3 with 7:56 remaining off an assist from Stamkos. Andrei Vasilevskiy registered 30 saves on 33 shots in the winning effort.
Rangers fall in OT at Caps
New York lost a 6-5 overtime decision Sunday at Washington to drop to 27-26-9 on the season. Chris Kreider scored 26 seconds in to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead on assists from Jimmy Vesey and Mika Zibanejad. The Capitals scored the next three goals to take a 3-1 advantage five-plus minutes into the second period. Brady Skjel cut the deficit to one goal late in the second with assists going to Connor Brickley and Lias Andersson. Vesey proceeded to tie it up in the first minute of the third on an unassisted goal, while Washington responded with two goals in the ensuing three minutes to go up 5-3. Vladislav Namestnikov cut it to 5-4 on the power play with 13:59 left on assists by Neal Pionk and Tony DeAngelo. Skjel tied it at 5-5 with the extra attacker as 31 seconds remained on the clock with assists courtesy of Kevin Shattenkirk and Zibanejad. Henrik Lundqvist took the loss in net as he surrendered six goals on 35 shots.
NHL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Lightning are 41-10 in their last 51 games versus the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay is 40-11 in its last 51 games as a favorite.
New York
The Rangers are 4-1 in their last five games versus the Atlantic Division. New York is 3-8 in its last 11 games as a home underdog.
Prediction:
Don’t overthink this one. It’s a nationally televised game and the Lightning will be with their starting goalie, while it looks like New York is turning to backup Alexandar Georgiev. I’ll take Vasilevskiy and his .930 save percentage on the season here over Georgiev and his .904 save percentage. New York also has a bunch of its roster available as spare parts for contenders, so that also has to impact the psyche. Go with Tampa Bay to win a 10th in a row.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING -230