by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Feb 06, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to Watch: TNT, MAX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Lightning +124, Rangers -148; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Lightning +124, Rangers -148; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Lightning +124, Rangers -148; Over/Under: 6.5 goals
Season Record
Tampa Bay Lightning: 27-18-5 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)
New York Rangers: 31-16-3 (1st place, Metropolitan Division)
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Recent Form
Tampa Bay Lightning: 8-2-0 last 10
New York Rangers: 5-4-1 last 10
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers Preview and Analysis
The Lightning are entering this game with 59 points, a 27-18-5 record overall, and they are 10-13-2 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the New Jersey Devils in their last game, winning that one at home 6-3. Brandon Hagel and Brayden Point each led the team in goals scored with 2 while Nicholas Paul and Steven Stamkos each scored 1 goal for them in that game. Victor Hedman led the team in assists with 3 while Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Darren Raddysh each led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 3 goals on 24 shots with 21 saves and a .875 save percentage. Their offense has scored 175 goals this season averaging 3.5 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 164 goals against them allowing 3.3 goals per game.
The Rangers are entering this game with 65 points, a 31-16-3 record overall, and they are 16-7-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Colorado Avalanche in their last game, winning that one at home 2-1 in overtime. Alexis Lafrenière and Artemi Panarin each scored 1 goal for them in that game. K'Andre Miller, Jonathan Quick, Braden Schneider, and Mika Zibanejad each led the team in assists with 1 while Chris Kreider led the team in shots on net in that game with 7. Jonathan Quick was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 1 goal on 32 shots with 31 saves and a .969 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 163 goals this season averaging 3.3 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 143 goals against them allowing 2.9 goals per game.
Lightning vs Rangers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rangers have looked really good in their games this season with their 31-16-3 record overall which has them leading the Metro Division in the East. They have also looked great on home ice this year with their 16-7-0 home record. Meanwhile, the Lightning have also looked good in their games this season with their 27-18-5 record overall which has them in 3rd place of their division in the East and fighting for a playoff spot. The Lightning have also been really hot lately with their 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games, but they also haven't played a game in over a week now due to the All-Star break so they have lost all of their momentum from that roll. They have also looked terrible in their road games this season with their 10-13-2 road record. The Rangers are only 5-4-1 in their last 10 games but they do have some momentum from a win over the Avalanche in their last game and that game was also on Monday right after the All-Star break so they have already played in a game this week and have shaken off the rust from the break. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game.
Lightning Rangers Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Wednesday, February 7, 2024 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Rangers 3 Lightning 1.
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NHL Betting Trends
Tampa Bay Lightning: 19-23 (-13.9 units) on the moneyline after a 3 game unbeaten streak. 56-61 (-34.8 units) on the moneyline after playing a game where 7 or more total goals were scored. 15-7 OVER revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 4 goals or more. 10-5 OVER after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
New York Rangers: 141-97 (+9.8 units) on the moneyline in all games. 40-21 (+10.4 units) on the moneyline after playing a game where 4 or fewer total goals were scored. 8-4 OVER off a home win. 5-1 OVER off a close home win by 1 goal. 10-4 OVER after a 2 game unbeaten streak.
Key Injuries
Tampa Bay Lightning: T. Jeannot (LW) Mid Feb - Upper Body. E. Cernak (D) Mid Feb - Upper Body. H. Fleury (D) Prob Wed - Hand. M. Sergachev (D) Mid Feb - Lower Body. A. Watson (LW) Out indefinitely - Lower Body. B. Seabrook (D) out for season - Shoulder. L. Brown (C) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed.
New York Rangers: J. Trouba (D) Elig Wed - Suspension. F. Chytil (C) out for season - Upper Body.
Notable Quotes
“We’re just fighting every game. It always seems like we’re playing somebody that’s right around us in the standings. To get these points . . . those are big for us.’’ - Jon Cooper after his team’s win against the Devils in their game on Saturday last week.
“He’s given us really quality games. Every day he comes to the rink, he’s ready to play. You're appreciative of everything he does.” - Peter Laviolette on Jonathan Quick after his team’s win against the Avalanche in their game on Monday.
Starting Lineups
Tampa Bay Lightning
LW Paul, Nicholas
C Point, Brayden
RW Kucherov, Nikita
LD Hedman, Victor
RD Raddysh, Darren
G Vasilevskiy, Andrei
New York Rangers
LW Panarin, Artemi
C Trocheck, Vincent
RW Lafrenière, Alexis
LD Lindgren, Ryan
RD Fox, Adam
G Quick, Jonathan
Statistical Leaders
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: N. Kucherov (85)
Goals: N. Kucherov (32)
Assists: N. Kucherov (53)
GAA: A. Vasilevskiy (2.85)
New York Rangers
Points: A. Panarin (67)
Goals: A. Panarin (31)
Assists: A. Panarin (36)
GAA: J. Quick (2.35)
Coaches:
Tampa Bay Lightning: Jon Cooper (12th season)
New York Rangers: Peter Laviolette (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
