The New York Rangers (42-18-4) travel to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (34-25-6) on Thursday, March 14th. This game will be played at Amalie Arena in Tampa and televised on ESPN+. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Puck drop is set for 7:00 ET.

Rangers vs Lightning

The New York Rangers Are Coming Off A Win

On the year, the Rangers are 42-18-4, and they currently sit in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference and 1st in the Metropolitan Division. Over their last ten games, they have gone 7-3, and they have won two straight games as the favorite. On the road, the Rangers are 20-10-4 this season.

So far this year, New York has been the favorite in 49 of their 64 games, and they have gone 33-14-2 as the favorite. Against other Eastern Conference teams, the Rangers have gone 24-12 on the year. In their last three games, they have gone 3-0.

When looking at their puck line record, the Rangers have gone 33-31 on the season and 20-29 as the favorite. So far, they have 25 wins by more than one goal and have gone 7-3 against the puck line in their last ten games.

On the road, the Rangers have gone 18-16 against the puck line and 5-5 in their last ten road games. So far, New York has gone 13-2 against the puck line as the underdog, and their average scoring margin is at +.4 goals per game.

Facing the Hurricanes in their last game, the Rangers won by a score of 1-0. In the first period, the Rangers found success on offense with one time, but that was the end of their scoring for the game. Against Carolina, New York’s offense scored their only goal at even strength. They recorded 24 shots on goal overall.

Despite being the underdog, New York managed to secure a win against the puck line in the game. The game ended below the over/under line of 6, with a combined total of 1 goal.

The Tampa Bay Lightning Are Coming Off A Win

At home this season, the Lightning have gone 20-9-4, and they have been favored in 39 of their 65 games. In the Eastern Conference, Tampa Bay is in 7th place and 4th in the Atlantic Division. Overall, the Lightning are 34-25-6, and they have gone 18-19 against other Eastern Conference teams.

Over their last ten games, the Lightning have gone 4-6, and they have won two of their last three games. Against teams from the Eastern Conference, Tampa Bay has gone 7-11 this season.

On the season, the Lightning have gone 32-33 against the puck line and have 24 wins by multiple goals. Over their last 10 home games, Tampa Bay has gone just 4-6 against the puck line.

So far this year, the team’s average scoring margin is +.1 goals per game, and they have gone 17-22 against the puck line as the favorite. Against the puck line at home, the Lightning are 18-15, and their average scoring differential is +.7 goals per game.

In their previous game, the Lightning hosted the Flyers and game away with a 7-0 win. Offensively, the Lightning’s offense scored in each period against the Flyers. Tampa Bay’s three power-play goals contributed to their total of 7 goals. Their offensive performance came with 26 shots on goal and six giveaways.

Coming into the game favored by -1.5, Tampa Bay also managed to pick up a victory against the puck line. The combined total of 7 goals exceeded the over/under line, which was set at 6.5 goals for the game.

New York Offense Breakdown

On the offensive side, the Rangers are scoring an 3.3 goals per game this season, ranking 13th in the NHL. When it came to shots on target per game, they are 19th in the league. In terms of the Rangers’ offense during power plays, they are 9th in power play goals and 22nd in shorthanded goals.

The Rangers come in with an over/under record of 31-30-3. Over the season, there have been 28 games that have surpassed the 6 over/under line. Their games, on average, are at 6 goals per game.

Lightning Offense Breakdown

Offensively, the Lightning come into the game at 3.4 goals per contest placing 7th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are in 22nd position in the league. This season, the Lightning have a 21-12 record in games where they outshoot their opponent. In games with fewer shots on goal, they hold a 13-11 record.

So far, the Lightning have an over/under record of 31-30-4. Coming into the game, they have played 33 games that went beyond the 6 over/under line. Their games, on average, had 6.8 goals per game.

New York Team Defense

New York defense takes on the Lightning ranked 23rd in goals allowed. On average, opponents are averaging 29.3 shots per game against New York. They also are 15th in shutouts, with 4 shutouts.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

Defensively, the Lightning are currently 25th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 29.2 shots per game against Tampa Bay. They also are 8th in shutouts, coming in with 4 shutouts.

Rangers vs Lightning Trends

• When looking at their past three road matchups, New York has an puck line record of 2-1 while averaging 2 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• Across their three previous home games, Tampa Bay has an puck line mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-1 while averaging 4 goals per game.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Lightning have a strong straight up record of 2-1. In addition, their puck line record was 2-1 in these scenarios.
• Through their last five games as the favorite, the Rangers have an puck line record of 3-2 and a straight up mark of 4-1.

Rangers vs Lightning Prediction

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Rangers to defeat the Lightning while playing on the road. Given the current moneyline odds at -107, I’m placing a wager on the Rangers to win outright.

Our projections have the Rangers pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Rangers, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.