Amalie Arena is the site for an Eastern Conference clash as the New York Rangers take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. The action gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 2, and you can catch the game live on MSG Network.
New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
New York (+150) is entering this one as the underdog to Tampa Bay (-170) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -115 for the over and -105 on the under.
Netting 6.3 units for moneyline bettors, Tampa Bay is 10-3 straight up (SU) this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 42-40 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 13 regular season matches, eight of its games have gone over the total, while five have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 6-1 SU at home so far this year.
The Lightning currently tout the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 29.6 percent of their extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
The Lightning, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.7 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.3, the third-worst mark in the league. After serving an average of 10.7 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to kill penalties for 9.8 minutes per outing this year.
Averaging 31.0 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (10-1) has been the best option in goal for the Bolts this year. If head coach Jon Cooper chooses to rest him, however, Tampa Bay may go with the winless Peter Budaj (0-2-2 record, .855 save percentage, 4.00 goals against average).
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov will each spearhead the attack for the Lightning. Stamkos (24 points) is up to six goals and 18 assists and has recorded multiple points on seven different occasions this year. Kucherov has 13 goals and eight assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 11 games.
Earning -8 units for bettors taking the moneyline, New York is 4-9 straight up (SU) overall this year. A total of eight of its games have gone over the total, while five have gone under and none have pushed. As the road team, the Rangers are 0-3 SU so far.
The Rangers have scored on 21.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for 10th-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 21st overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.2 percent of all penalties.
New York’s players have been called for penalties 4.2 times per game this season, a number that has risen some from the 3.4 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 7.8 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 9.0 minutes per matchup this year.
Henrik Lundqvist (3.21 goals against average and .898 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lundqvist is averaging 26.4 saves per game and has three wins, seven losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Rangers will be Mika Zibanejad (eight goals, five assists) and J.T. Miller (two goals, eight assists).
New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The total has gone over in three of Tampa Bay’s last five games.
