The Tampa Bay Lightning, led by Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, are set to take the ice against Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in an Eastern Conference showdown. NBC Sports Network will showcase the matchup, and the action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, October 29.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers Odds
The Lightning (-175) are favored over the Rangers (+155) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-120 over, +100 under).
Tampa Bay is 5-5 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 10 regular season outings, six of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. This 2019-20 Lightning team is 3-3 SU on the road.
The Lightning have scored on 22.6 percent of their power play opportunities so far. That’s a noticeable drop-off from last year, when they were ranked first in the league by scoring on 28.1 percent of their extra-man chances. Their penalty kill has fallen off noticeably since last year, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 83.8 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked fifth overall last year) to 69.4 percent this year..
Averaging 29.4 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (5-2) has been the best option in goal for Tampa Bay this year. If Tampa Bay decides to rest him, however, the team could go with Curtis McElhinney (0-3-2), who has a .915 save percentage and 3.29 goals against average this year.
Over on the other bench, New York is 3-6 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through nine regular season contests, five of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. So far this year, the team is 2-4 SU as the home team.
The Rangers have converted on 18.2 percent of their extra-man advantages this year after scoring on 19.5 percent (ranked 17th in league) last season. They have killed off a remarkable 80.6 percent of their penalties, compared to 78.1 percent a year ago (when they were ranked 27th in the NHL).
Henrik Lundqvist (32.2 saves per game) has been the top selection in goal for the Rangers. Lundqvist has two wins and four losses to his credit and has recorded a poor .906 save percentage and 3.58 goals against average this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- After winning six of their seven shootouts last year, the Lightning are off to a 1-0 start in shootouts this season. The Rangers were 6-5 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their past five games.
- Tampa Bay skaters registered 26.3 hits per game last season, while the Rangers posted 26.0 hits per contest.
