Rangers vs Lightning Prediction 4/15/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Rangers vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, April 15th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

New York Rangers Betting Preview

The New York Rangers are 33-39-9 this season after they lost to the Panthers by a score of 3-2 in their last game. New York erased a 2-0 deficit and they were tied at two in the third, but they allowed a goal with about two minutes left for the loss. The Rangers out shot Florida by a total of 27-16, won 64.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Perreault and Robertson, while Quick stopped 13 out of 16 shots, which was an .813 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New York lost to the Stars by a score of 2-0 and the Sabres by a score of 5-3. The Rangers have lost three games in a row and they are currently last in the Metro standings with 75 points. New York has scored 2.85 goals per game and they have allowed 3.05 goals against per game, while also going 24.5% on the power play and 79.7% on the penalty kill this season. Mika Zibanejad has led NY with 33 goals and 43 assists, while Vincent Trocheck has added 16 goals and 37 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 25-19-6 with a 2.50 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 50-25-6 this year after they defeated the Red Wings in overtime by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Tampa Bay blew a 3-1 lead in the third period, but they scored just 27 seconds into overtime for the win. The Lightning were out shot by a total of 30-22, won 41.1% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Geekie, Guentzel, Kucherov, and Cernak, while Vasilevskiy stopped 27 out of 30 shots, which was a .900 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Bruins by a score of 2-1, but lost to the Canadiens by a score of 2-1 before that. The Lightning have won two games in a row and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 106 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.51 goals per game and they have allowed 2.78 goals against per game, while also going 21.0% on the power play and 82.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 44 goals and 86 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 38 goals and 50 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 39-15-4 with a 2.31 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Rangers have lost each of their last six road games against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Lightning have won each of their last four home games after coming off overtime.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four road games.
• The home team has covered the puck line in six of the Lightning’s last seven games.
• The Rangers have lost the third period in five of their last six games as road underdogs.

Why the New York Rangers will win

• The Lightning have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Rangers have won 12 of their last 23 games as road underdogs against the Lightning.
• The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games at Benchmark International Arena against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Rangers have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Lightning have lost the third period in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Lightning’s last four games as favorites following a home win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Rangers’ last six Wednesday games have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Rangers’ last nine road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last 12 home games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nikita Kucherov has scored a goal in each of the Lightning’s last three home games.
• Ryan McDonagh has recorded an assist in each of the Lightning’s last four games at Benchmark International Arena.

New York Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Mika Zibanejad has scored at least one goal in each of the Rangers’ last three games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Adam Fox has recorded at least one assist in each of the Rangers’ last four road games against the Lightning.

Rangers vs Lightning Prediction 

Tampa Bay comes into this matchup after having some struggles over the last few weeks, but they have won two in a row. The Lightning are 26-13-1 at home this year, while the Rangers are 19-19-2 on the road. New York has lost three games in a row and they have scored just five goals in those three losses. The Rangers are going to finish last in the Metro standings, while Tampa Bay looks like they are getting the second seed in the Atlantic. Neither team has much to play for in this one and I wouldn’t be shocked to see TB rest some players, so I will take a chance on the Rangers here.

David Racey's Pick: Rangers ML