Wednesday’s slate of NHL action features a Stanley Cup Finals rematch when the New York Rangers travel to the Sunshine State to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- The Rangers are 0-8 SU in their last eight games on the road.
- The total has gone OVER in seven of the Rangers' last eight games.
- The Rangers are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games against the Lightning.
These aren’t the same clubs we saw last June, however. New York has been struggling mightily lately, losing seven of its last nine games while going just 4-10-2 since Nov. 25th. The Blueshirts have allowed 40 goals in their previous nine heading into this one.
The Lightning are looking better as of late (7-4-1 in their last 12) but still have plenty of work to do if they plan on representing the Eastern Conference in the Cup Finals once again. Tampa is 18-5-1-3 on the season thanks to a sluggish start.
The good news for Bolts backers is the red-hot play of goaltender Ben Bishop when he faces the Rangers. Bishop owns a spotless 9-0-0 record to go along with a sparkling 1.43 goals against average in nine career regular season games against New York. Bishop was in between the pipes on Nov. 19 when Tampa topped New York by a score of 2-1.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Tampa Bay Lightning were listed earlier today as -130 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while odds makers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.
A 3.3-2 result in favor of the Lightning is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
18-15-4 Tampa Bay battles the Rangers, currently with a 20-13-4 mark. The OVER/UNDER records, important for totals bettors, are 13-19-5 for the Lightning and 16-16-5 for the Rangers. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Tampa Bay vs New York injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Tampa Bay Lightning rated this week at No. 11 and the New York Rangers sitting at No. 16.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Tampa Bay Lightning No. 19-ranked offense (2.57 goals per game) against a New York Rangers defense that ranks No. 16 at 2.65 goals per game allowed. The Lightning Sportsbook has clicked at a 18.46% rate while the Rangers have a 80.99% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for New York, they were a 5-3 loser as they battled the Predators on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Predators at -128 were rewarded, while the 8 combined goals moved the game OVER for totals bettors.
The Lightning were a 4-3 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Canadiens. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Montreal at +137 on the moneyline, while the total score (7) was good news for OVER bettors.
- NY Rangers is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Rangers's last 8 games
- NY Rangers is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Rangers's last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
- Tampa Bay is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing NY Rangers
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing at home against NY Rangers
Next Betting Matchups
New York at Florida, Saturday, January 2nd
Tampa Bay home to Minnesota, Saturday, January 2nd
