The New York Rangers are feeling good, as they should. Up 2-0, they will look to bury the Tampa Bay Lightning deeper in this 2022 NHL Eastern Conference finals series when both teams meet again for Game 3 this Sunday.
Click here to make your NHL picks
Betting Preview for the New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Playoffs Round 3 Game 3 on June 5, 2022
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
When: Sunday, June 5, 2022, 3:00 PM ET
Line: New York Rangers (odds) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (odds) – view all 2020-21 NHL lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the New York Rangers (odds)
Regular Season Record: 52-24-6
The Rangers are defying expectations against the defending 2-time Stanley Cup champions, as they are now up 2-0 in the 2022 Eastern Conference finals after a 3-2 home win Friday night. Prior to that, the Rangers took down Tampa Bay in the series opener, 6-2. Igor Shesterkin is obviously winning his matchup against future Hall of Famer Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, with the Rangers; offense clearly providing him ample scoring support. Mika Zibanejad has been so productive on that part for New York, and he has scored a goal in each of the first two games of the series. He leads the Rangers in the playoffs with 22 points on 9 goals and 13 assists. With Shesterkin sustaining his form and the Rangers converting on high-danger chances at a good clip, New York will come into Game 3 riding a wave of momentum.
The Rangers are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning (odds)
Regular Season Record: 51-23-8
Even though they are down by two games in the series, the Lightning aren’t the type of team that can just be counted out, especially since the series is only about to get played in Tampa for the first time in this matchup. Although Vasilevskiy is getting outplayed by Shesterkin, there’s really nothing wrong with him. Adjustments by Tampa Bay’s skaters are expected to be applied when the Lightning hit the ice this coming Sunday. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper lamented his team’s turnovers in Game 2 which hurt Tampa Bay’s offense, but that being said, the Bolts still came away with more shots on goal than the Rangers for the second time. The Lightning are also leading the series with a 5-on-5 58.16 xGF%.
The Lightning are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lightning win, 3-1.
Click here to make your NHL picks
1,158 total views, 2 views today