Rangers vs Lightning Odds, Prediction & Best Bet (Dec 29)
- The New York Rangers (19-12-5) face the Tampa Bay Lightning (21-11-1) at 7:00 pm on Thursday
- Tampa Bay is favored at -152 with the total set at 6.5
- See the Rangers vs Lightning odds ahead of the opening faceoff at Amalie Arena
After a seven game winning streak helped them climb back up the Metropolitan Division Standings, the Rangers have dropped two of their last three. They’re also in the thick of the division battle, with second through fifth separated by just four points.
Meanwhile the Lightning had an extended Christmas break. Their game against the Sabres was postponed, so Wednesday’s win against the Canadiens was their first action since December 21st. Tampa avoided a third-straight loss.
Now they get set to host the Rangers as Tampa looks for back-to-back wins.
Rangers vs Lightning Odds
| Game Time (ET) | Team | Puck Line | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, December 29th | New York Rangers | +1.5 (-205) | Ov 6.5 (+102) | +125 |
| 7:00 PM | Tampa Bay Lightning | -1.5 (+165) | Un 6.5 (-125) | -152 |
Odds as of December 28th from Barstool Sportsbook. Be sure to check out the Barstool Sportsbook promo code ahead of puck drop.
The Lightning enter Thursday as a home favorite. Tampa has managed to cover 6.5 just once over their last six games. Prior to this stretch, they had gone over 6.5 in three of five.
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The Bolts have the seventh-best Stanley Cup odds, fifth-best in the Eastern Conference. New York has the 12th-best odds, with the Rangers sliding slightly since the beginning of the season.
New York Rangers Betting Trends
Over the last five games, New York’s offense has either been unstoppable or stymied.
In their last ten games, the Rangers are averaging 4.75 goals for in wins. In their two losses, they’ve scored just twice, getting shut out by the Capitals on Tuesday.
Rangers: Last Five Games
| Opponent | Final Score | Rangers Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 27 vs WSH | 4-0 WSH | -155 | 5.5 (Under) |
| Dec 22 vs NYI | 5-3 NYR | -160 | 5.5 (Over) |
| Dec 20 @ PIT | 3-2 PIT | +114 | 5.5 (Under) |
| Dec 18 @ CHI | 7-1 NYR | -240 | 5.5 (Over) |
| Dec 17 @ PHI | 6-3 NYR | -165 | 5.5 (Over) |
Over their seven-game winning streak, Artemi Panarin recorded 12 points, including 10 assists. Panarin has just one goal in the three games since. That goal came in the Rangers win against the Islanders.
Artemi Panarin cashes in on the power play and ties the Battle of New York at one apiece. 💰 pic.twitter.com/jwmHLuTz1A
— NHL (@NHL) December 23, 2022
Leading goal scorer Chris Kreider has had trouble scoring consistently this year. Kreider scored twice in the loss to Pittsburgh, his only two goals in the last six games. Kreider scored 12 goals in the 22 games prior to that, after starting the season with just two goals in his first eight games.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
Prior to dropping games against the Maple Leafs and Red Wings, the Lightning had been winning convincingly.
Losses against the Red Wings book ended a five-game winning streak. Tampa won each of those games by at least three goals, looking like the team that has made three-straight Stanley Cup Finals.
Lightning: Last Five Games
| Opponent | Final Score | Lightning Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 28 vs MTL | 4-1 TBL | -380 | 5.5 (Under) |
| Dec 21 @ DET | 7-4 DET | -140 | 6.5 (Over) |
| Dec 20 @ TOR | 4-1 TOR | +108 | 6.5 (Under) |
| Dec 17 @ MTL | 5-1 TBL | -250 | 6.0 (Push) |
| Dec 15 vs CBJ | 4-1 TBL | -320 | 6.5 (Under) |
2022/23 has been just another year for Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov has been a point-per-game player for six seasons now, and has 50 points through 33 games. Along with leading the league in assists, Kucherov has multi-point games in four of his last seven, and saw a seven-game point streak stopped in Toronto.
Who have been the most prolific high danger passers in the NHL this season?
Number of passes leading to high danger chance + expected assists from passes leading to high danger chance:
1. Connor McDavid – 54, 17.47
2. Nikita Kucherov- 47, 14.41
3. Leon Draisaitl – 44, 13.67 pic.twitter.com/j5eBU8EQV9— Guru (@Guruelous) December 25, 2022
Usually a lock in the goal scoring category, Brayden Point went through a 13 game stretch this year where he scored just twice. Since then, Point has 12 goals in 14 games, scoring in back-to-back games and seven of his last nine.
Rangers vs Lightning Pick
With Andrei Vasilevskiy getting the start against Montreal, it’s expected that Brian Elliott plays Thursday.
Elliott enters with a 3.31 GAA and a save percentage of .894.
For the Rangers, they’ll likely call on Igor Shesterkin. While his numbers are good (2.47 GAA, .915 SV%), he’s given up at least three goals in his last three starts.
While it may seem like a stretch, the over is attainable in this one, depending on which Shesterkin shows up. If you’re looking for a same-game parlay, try pairing both teams to score twice (-225) with a player prop closer to puck drop.
For now, stick with the over.
The Pick: Over 6.5 goals (+102); 1 unit
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Bryan has spent the last decade working in the sports industry. From the sidelines in the OHL and Rugby League to behind the scenes at TSN, Bryan has a wealth of experience with a soft spot for props and parlays.
