New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 12/29/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Thursday, December 29, 2022

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Rangers (+122) Lightning (-146)

The Tampa Bay Lightning (20-11-1) will try to beat the New York Rangers (19-12-5) at Amalie Arena on Thursday. The moneyline on this matchup has the Rangers at +122 and the Lightning are at -146. The over/under comes in at 7.

The New York Rangers were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 4-0 loss against the Capitals their last time out. The Rangers left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in the loss. In the matchup, they went scoreless on the 32 shots they attempted. Additionally, they had 5 power play attempts but weren't able to score a goal. New York accrued 6 penalty minutes in this game.

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New York Rangers opponents have amassed 106 power play opportunities (19th in hockey) and have earned 21 goals in those chances. The Rangers have seen 1,041 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .905. New York has taken 1,165 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.9%. While at even strength, the Rangers have allowed the opponent to score 78 goals while scoring 90 on the offensive side of the ice. New York has compiled 114 power play opportunities and they have notched 25 goals out of those tries, earning them a percentage of 21.93%. For the season, they have racked up 43 points and their points percentage is .597. With respect to scoring goals, the New York Rangers have racked up 115 goals (12th in the National Hockey League) this season and have allowed 99.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Igor Shesterkin. During his career on the ice, Shesterkin has accounted for 83 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .680. He has a save percentage of .925 for his 7,292 minutes played. Shesterkin has had 3,823 shots taken against him and has accrued 3,538 saves. The opposition has scored 285 goals versus Shesterkin in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.35. He has an overall mark of 79-35-11 and he was named the starter in 122 games. Shesterkin has participated in 127 games during his professional hockey career.

In their last contest, Tampa Bay went up against the Red Wings in an outing where the Lightning took the loss by a mark of 7-4. They had 4 power play opportunities in this outing but weren't able to score a goal. The Lightning netted 4 goals out of the 38 shots on goal they were seeking.

Tampa Bay has put up 1,005 shots (25th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.44%, while allowing their opponents 987 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 80.77% on their oppositions 104 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 90.3%. They have a total of 118 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 26.27%. The Lightning have earned 84 goals at even strength and 31 goals (5th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have permitted 96 goals to be scored by of a combination of 76 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this year, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accounted for 115 goals, 41 points, in addition to a points percentage of .641.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Brian Elliott patrolling the crease. He is sitting with 12,600 stops out of 13,845 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .910. Elliott is the owner of a career mark of 274-161-52 and has participated in 530 contests. He has made the start in 482 contests and his ice time sits at 29,358 minutes. Elliott's rate of quality starts comes out to 53.9% and he has earned 260 quality starting assignments in his career. His opponents are averaging 2.54 goals per contest and he has surrendered 1,245 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (-146)

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