Lightning vs Rangers Game 2 Picks and Odds
- The Tampa Bay Lightning look to even their series with the New York Rangers on Friday, June 3rd
- The Lightning gave up 6 goals in a Game 1 loss after conceding just 3 in the entire 2nd round
- Read below for the Lightning vs Rangers Game 2 odds, picks, and prediction
Raise your hand if you thought the Rangers would put six pucks behind Andrei Vasilevskiy in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. It was a stunning result to say the least after the Lightning’s best Conn Smythe candidate gave up just three goals in four games in the entire 2nd round.
Game 2 between the Lightning and Rangers is on Friday, June 3rd from Madison Square Garden with the puck drop scheduled for 8:00 pm ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Although it was a decisive win for the Blueshirts, the Lightning are once again road favorites in the Friday NHL odds for Game 2.
Let’s take a look at the Lightning vs Rangers odds and break down our best NHL pick and bet for Friday’s contest.
Lightning vs Rangers Odds Game 2
| Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -1.5 (+200) | O 5.5 (-104) | -127 |
| New York Rangers | +1.5 (-250) | U 5.5 (-117) | +107 |
Odds as of June 2nd at Barstool Sportsbook.
The over/under total for this matchup once again sits at 5.5 goals. Shockingly, the Rangers went over that total on their own in Game 1. New York has now scored 17 goals in their last three games after scoring just nine goals in their five previous contests.
With oddsmakers making the Rangers +107 underdogs on the moneyline, they have an implied win probability of 48.31% to go up 2-0 in this series against the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Lightning Tremendous Betting Value to Bounce Back
It was not a result I expected from Tampa in Game 1 , but perhaps the long layoff caught up to them. Nine days had passed since their last game after they swept the Panthers in the 2nd round. The Rangers shooters also looked like they were intentionally going high on Vasilevskiy, which is how they scored most of their goals.
Save percentage for Vasilevskiy on mid & high blocker side shots, according to @InStatHockey:
This postseason: .801
2021-22 season: .813
2019-22 combined: .841
2015-22 combined: .844 https://t.co/JachYasXPV— Mike McKenna (@MikeMcKenna56) June 2, 2022
Igor Shesterkin definitely outplayed his countryman in the first game in what has been dubbed a battle of the NHL’s two best goaltenders, but history tells us that Vasilevskiy and Tampa will bounce back. The Lightning have not lost a single game following a loss in the last three postseasons.
Just a reminder:
Tampa Bay Lightning after a loss, last three postseasons:
17-0, 3.94 GF/GP, 1.64 GA/GPAndrei Vasilevskiy after a loss, last three postseasons:
17-0, .942 Sv%, 1.41 GAA, 5 Shutouts#GoBolts #TBLvsNYR #StanleyCupPlayoffs— The Bolt Report (@BoltReport_TB) June 2, 2022
Amongst trends and stats that bettors take into account when making a wager, this is one of the most remarkable ones you’ll see. At some point, the streak will end, but 17 in a row over three years is tough to bet against. Remember, the Lightning also got scorched 5-0 in Game 1 of the opening round against Toronto, but won Game 2, 5-3.
Rangers Good Moneyline Bet at Home in Playoffs
What a performance the Rangers delivered on Broadway in Game 1 against the Lightning. Chris Kreider said it best in the opening round, New York’s home ice isn’t a garden for opponents, it’s a jungle. After Wednesday’s win, the Rangers are 7-1 at home this postseason, as opposed to 2-5 on the road.
Although most prognosticators didn’t even expect the Rangers to make it to this point in the NHL Playoff Bracket, they are hoping they can ride their home ice advantage all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
They have the best home record of any team still alive in the postseason. New York has outscored their opposition 35-18 at Madison Square Garden. Shesterkin once again proved why he is a finalist in the Hart Trophy odds, stopping 37 of 39 shots sent his way. He has only given up more than two goals once in his last eight games.
Game One goaltending comparison:
Igor Shesterkin: 37 saves, .949 sv%, +2.04 GSAx
Andrei Vasilevskiy: 28 saves, .824 sv%, -3.04 GSAx
— Sam Stern (@SammmyStern) June 2, 2022
TB vs NYR Recent Results
| Date | Home-Away | Moneyline | Puck Line | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/01/2022 | NYR 6 – TB 2 | NYR | NYR | Over |
| 03/19/2022 | TB 1 – NYR 2 | NYR | NYR | Under |
| 01/02/2022 | NYR 4 – TB 0 | NYR | NYR | Under |
| 12/31/2022 | TB 3 – NYR 4 (SO) | NYR | NYR | Over |
| 11/14/2019 | TB 9 – NYR 3 | TB | TB | Over |
Including Game 1, the Rangers are now a perfect 4-0 against the Lightning this year, outscoring them 16-6 in those matchups. Another victory in Game 2, and that losing streak might get into the heads of the Lightning players.
Lightning vs Rangers Pick
When the Conference Finals began, Colorado and Tampa were firmly entrenched as the top two teams in the Stanley Cup odds. The Lightning need a victory in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden or else those odds will fade very quickly.
There were a lot of surprises in Game 1. It wasn’t hard to envision a Rangers victory, but not many would’ve predicted that final score. In addition, these teams hit the under nine out of 11 times combined in the 2nd round, so it was quite shocking to see eight goals find the back of the net.
When considering the best bet in the Lightning vs Rangers Friday NHL odds, I keep coming back to Tampa’s incredible ability to bounce back after a loss. With 17 wins in a row after a defeat, it’s a number that’s incredibly difficult to ignore so until that streak in broken, ride the wave and take Tampa on the moneyline.
Pick: Lightning Moneyline (-127)
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 INSTANTLY & A NO SWEAT NBA SGP EVERY DAY!
- FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
BET $5 & GET $150 GUARANTEED!
- BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS!
- CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,000 BACK - ON CAESARS!
George has had a lifelong love affair with sports and studying sports statistics since he was a kid. He graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and has worked in the sports & media industry ever since in various roles from writer to producer.
