New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview/Prop Picks

The Eastern Conference Finals heads back to Tampa Bay on Saturday night as the Lightning host the New York Rangers. Tampa Bay has a chance to wrap up the series and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals with a win on home ice. 

New York took a 2-0 lead in this series after just two games, but they are now on the brink of elimination. The Rangers were not expected to be in this position in 2022, and they are looking to continue the storybook run. 

Tampa Bay is looking for its third straight Stanley Cup championship, and this team has now won three straight games. The Lightning were not as dominant in the regular season, but they always seem to find another gear in the playoffs. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the moneyline betting favorites at -187 in Game 6 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals. 

Rangers Have to Find Offense

Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have each scored ten goals in the postseason, and they have to find a way to deliver for this team. New York was not a great offensive team this season, and those issues have started to return. 

New York has been able to use the power play to score in the playoffs, but they are facing a terrific penalty kill from Tampa Bay. The Rangers are comfortable winning low-scoring affairs, but that offense has to find a way to step up. 

Igor Shesterkin has been terrific throughout the playoffs in goal for New York, but he has started to give up some goals of late. It might take the best game of the season from Shesterkin to keep the season live for New York.

Lightning Being Physical

Game 5 ended in an all-out scrum that was led by the Lightning, and that is the perfect example of how Tampa Bay wants to play this game. The Lightning have given up just four total goals in the last three games, and they are imposing their will.

Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy could be on his way to another Conn Smythe Trophy Award as he has completely taken over this series. Vasilevskiy made 24 saves in Game 5, and he has stood tall in the penalty kill.

Ondrej Palat had the game-winning goal in the most recent game, and he is just one of many offensive weapons on this team. Nikita Kucherov leads the team with 22 postseason points, and he always delivers in the playoffs.

Lightning Cruise to Stanley Cup Finals

It took Tampa Bay a couple of games to shake off the rust in this series, but they are now clicking on all cylinders. The Lightning are now doing everything well on offense, and Vasilevskiy continues to shut down the Rangers. 

New York will be a desperate team, and that does make them dangerous, at least at the start of Game 5. That desperation isn’t going to be enough to win the game, though, as eventually, the talent for Tampa Bay is going to take complete control. 

The Colorado Avalanche are waiting, and they will finally get an opponent. Bet the Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 as they win their fourth in a row in blowout fashion to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Prop Picks

NY Rangers (+170) UNDER 1.5 Goals

Tampa Bay is allowing 2.8 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 6 in the league, while killing 80.6 percent of power plays, which ranks No. 11. Scores have gone UNDER in seven of the Lightning’s last eight games following a win.

With Dunkel predicting a Tampa Bay victory by the score of 3-1, take the Rangers (+170) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 1.5 goals against the Lightning.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (+100) OVER 28.5 Saves

Vasilevskiy had 1712 saves on 1868 shot attempts (91.6 percent save percentage) during the regular season. The veteran goalie has added 482 saves on 520 shot attempts (92.7 percent save percentage) in the postseason. Both those percentages have improved to 92.8 in Tampa Bay wins.  

With Dunkel predicting a Tampa Bay home victory, take Vasilevskiy (+100) to finish OVER 28.5 saves against the Rangers.

Keep up with your latest NHL news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.

All Media on this page by Associated Press.