Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers Prediction, 4/17/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG+

Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (-196) Rangers (+162)

The New York Rangers (37-36-7) will try to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning (45-26-8) at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has Tampa Bay at -196 while New York opens at +162. The betting total comes in at 6.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 5-1 victory over the Panthers in their previous game. The Lightning had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in this win. In the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 5 out of the 31 shots they attempted. Moreover, they had 5 attempts on the power play and were able to score 1 goal. Tampa Bay accrued 17 mins in the box in this matchup.

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In reference to their goal scoring prowess, the Tampa Bay Lightning have racked up 292 goals (1st in the NHL) over the course of the season and have allowed 212. For the current campaign, they have recorded 98 points and their points percentage is .620. Tampa Bay has compiled 222 power play chances and they have notched 58 goals out of those tries, garnering them a rate of 26.13%. When playing at even strength, the Lightning have allowed the opponent to score 175 goals while having 234 of their own. Tampa Bay has taken 2,314 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 12.6%. The Lightning have seen 2,289 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .907. Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have amassed 199 power play opportunities (24th in the league) and have earned 37 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Andrei Vasilevskiy. The opposition has notched 1,335 goals versus Vasilevskiy in his career and his goals against rate is 2.84. Vasilevskiy has played in 540 games during his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .917 in his 28,204 minutes on the ice. He has a record of 331-163-35 and he has started in 530 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Vasilevskiy has 306 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .577. Vasilevskiy has had 16,107 shots taken against him and has garnered 14,772 saves.

When they took the ice last, New York squared up with the Panthers in a game where the Rangers earned a win by a mark of 5-3. The Rangers notched 5 goals of the 25 shots on goal they tried. They had 2 power play chances in this outing but weren't able to notch a goal.

The Rangers have accumulated 214 goals at even strength and 37 goals (26th in the NHL) while on the power play. New York has attempted 2,322 shots (12th in the league) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.81%, while allowing the other team 2,424 shots. This season, the New York Rangers have accumulated 251 goals, 81 points, in addition to a points percentage of .506. They have granted a total of 255 goals to be scored by way of 209 goals at even strength and 46 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have recorded 207 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 17.87%. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 80.34% on the other teams 234 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.5%.

For the opposition you will find Igor Shesterkin defending the net. He has racked up 7,412 saves out of 8,082 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .917. Shesterkin is the owner of a lifetime record of 161-88-22 and has participated in 273 contests. He got the starting nod in 268 games and has played 12,571 minutes. Shesterkin's quality start rate comes in at 62.3% and he has 167 quality starting assignments in his career. Teams are averaging 3.20 goals per contest and he has given up 670 goals overall.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take New York (+162) and under 6 goals

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