The New York Rangers continue their road trip with a matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena.
The Blueshirts returned from the holiday break with a 5-1 win against the Capitals before falling to the Panthers 4-3 in Sunrise last night. The Lightning are also coming off a loss to Florida, a 3-2 defeat at home on Wednesday night.
Which team will get back on track on Saturday night? Read on for our free NHL picks for Rangers vs. Lightning below.
Rangers vs Lightning odds
Rangers vs Lightning predictions
The New York Rangers are in a tough spot tonight with the Tampa Bay Lightning having both home-ice advantage and the rest advantage. The Bolts have had two days off while the Blueshirts were in a hard-fought battle just last night.
The Lightning have been a completely different team this season at home compared to on the road. They're 10-4-3 in Tampa Bay but just 7-10-2 on the road.
Tampa Bay has been able to tread water in the Eastern Conference without Andrei Vasilevskiy and it looks like the Russian netminder is settling in recently. He's allowed nine goals in his last four games with 119 saves on 128 shots (.930 SV%). He's 7-3-0 in his last 10 starts with 24 goals against on 311 shots (.923 SV%).
The Rangers have been one of the best teams in the league this season but they're bound to run into some regression. They have an expected goals for share just under 50% (49.50%) and failed to complete the comeback last night in Sunrise.
“It was a good game, I thought, after we figured out the pressure on the forecheck,” New York coach Peter Laviolette said. “We had lots of opportunities to score goals. Didn’t happen, but we had plenty of chances.”
It may have been a good game for the Rangers but they’re in a bad spot tonight. The Lightning are great at home and Vasilevskiy has bounced back nicely from his last few losses.
The Lightning should be much bigger favorites at home against a tired Rangers team.
My best bet: Ligthning moneyline (-110 at BetMGM)
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Rangers vs Lightning same-game parlay
Lightning moneyline
Under 6.5
Nikita Kucherov anytime goalscorer
The Lightning are our best bet to take down the Rangers at home on Saturday night. That’s anchoring our same-game parlay down in Tampa. After that, we’re looking for this game to be a goalie battle.
The Rangers saved Igor Shesterkin (14-7-0, 2.77 GAA, .908 SV%) to start this one against Vasilevskiy (8-6-0, 2.78 GAA, .907 SV%). Shesterkin has had his ups and downs this season but he's been solid recently with just seven goals against in the last four games.
While both of these teams have some offensive talent, the goalies should shine tonight.
Finally, we’re taking Hart Trophy candidate Nikita Kucherov to score a goal. He has 24 goals (58 points) in 35 games this season. That includes nine goals in his last 11 games.
The veteran winger has been much better at home with 15 goals in 15 games as opposed to nine goals in 19 road games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Rangers vs Lightning moneyline and Over/Under analysis
This game opened up around a pick'em but the Rangers odds are now as low as -102 while the Lightning odds are up to -118 as home favorites.
Don’t be surprised if this line continues to move towards Tampa Bay with the Rangers on a back-to-back.
The total varies between a flat 6 and 6.5 across the board. You can get Over 6 (-110) and Under 6 (+100) or Over 6.5 (-102) and Under 6.5 (-120)
Rangers vs Lightning betting trend to know
The Lightning have cashed the first-period moneyline in 31 of their last 43 home games (+15.40 units / 22% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Lightning.
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Rangers vs Lightning game info
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL |
| Date: | Saturday, December 30, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG2, Bally Sports Sun |
Rangers vs Lightning latest injuries
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