New York Rangers (36-33-7) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (44-26-6)
Game Info: Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Madison Square Garden)
The Line: Betting Odds: New York Rangers +120 / Tampa Bay Lightning -142 — Over/Under: 5.5
In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Rangers prediction for this NHL game on Monday, April 7th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 44-26-6 this season after they lost to Buffalo in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Tampa Bay led 2-1 in the third period, but they allowed Buffalo to tie the game early in the third and ended up losing in the shootout. The Lightning were outshot by a total of 38-24, won 58.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Goncalves and Point, while Johansson stopped 36 out of 38 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Lightning lost to the Senators by a score of 2-1, but did beat the Islanders by a score of 4-1 before that. Tampa Bay has won four of their last six games and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 94 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.54 goals per game and they have allowed 2.61 goals against per game, while also going 24.8% on the power play and 81.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 33 goals, 79 assists, and 250 shots on goal, while Brandon Hagel has added 34 goals, 48 assists, and 216 shots on goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy is 36-20-3 with a 2.16 goals against average and a .922 save percentage this year.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers are 36-33-7 this year after they lost to New Jersey by a score of 4-0 in their last game. New York allowed two goals in the second period and another two in the third for the shutout loss. The Rangers outshot New Jersey by a total of 26-16, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. New York was led by Fox, Lafreniere, and Brodzinski, who all had three shots on goal, while Shesterkin stopped 12 out of 15 shots in the game.
Prior to that shutout loss, the Rangers defeated the Wild by a score of 5-4 and the Sharks by a score of 6-1. New York has split their last six games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 79 points. New York has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 3.03 goals against per game, while also going 17.2% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Artemi Panarin has led New York with 34 goals, 48 assists, and 222 shots on goal, while Adam Fox has added nine goals, 47 assists, and 118 shots on goal. Igor Shesterkin is 25-27-5 with a 2.86 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this season.
Why the Rangers will beat the Lightning
- The Rangers have won each of their last three games as home underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Lightning have lost seven of their last eight games at Madison Square Garden.
- The home team has covered the puck line in nine of the Lightning’s last 10 games.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine night games at Madison Square Garden.
- The Lightning have lost the second period in each of their last three games at Madison Square Garden after coming off overtime.
Why the Lightning will beat the Rangers
- The Rangers have lost five of their last six night games at Madison Square Garden.
- The Lightning have won four of their last five night games after coming off overtime.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the last four games between the Lightning and Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games at Madison Square Garden.
- The Lightning have won the third period in each of their last four games as road favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Nineteen of the Rangers’ last 23 night games against Eastern Conference opponents at Madison Square Garden have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the Lightning’s last five night games at Madison Square Garden have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last five home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last five road games following a shootout loss.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- J.T. Miller has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven home appearances against former teams.
- Vincent Trocheck has recorded at least one assist in each of the Rangers’ last four games against the Lightning.
- Artemi Panarin has scored a goal in each of the Rangers’ last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Brayden Point has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances with the Lightning as favorites against the Rangers.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning’s last 12 games against the Rangers.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in 11 of his last 12 appearances with the Lightning as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Lightning vs Rangers Prediction
New York comes into this matchup looking for points, as they are currently trying to catch the Canadiens for the last wild card spot in the East. The Rangers are 18-17-3 at home this year, while the Lightning are 17-18-4 on the road. Tampa Bay has lost two games in a row, both of which were on the road, and they are trying to catch the Leafs for first in the Atlantic. Tampa Bay won the first meeting with the Rangers by a score of 6-2 back in December, but I expect this game to be much lower scoring. Take the under here.