Following Tampa Bay’s 4-1 game four win on Tuesday, the Eastern Conference Final is even at 2-2. The home team has won all four games of the series. New York became the favorite after winning its first two games at home. At that time, the Rangers looked younger, faster, and with better goaltending. Now the series script is flipped. Tampa Bay has reminded everyone about the value of a Heart of a Champion with the NHL betting odds. In turn, the Lightning is getting the better goaltending. And their skill has been unleashed.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers Game 5 Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, June 9, 2022, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN/ESPN+ |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | -1½ (+205) | 5½ (+122) | -123 |  |
| Rangers | +1½ (-245) | 5½ (-142) | +103 | |
| ||||
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers Series Schedule
All Times Eastern
- Game 5 – June 9 – Lightning at Rangers – 8 p.m. – TBD
- Game 6 – June 11 – Rangers at Lightning – 8 p.m. – TBD*
- Game 7 – June 14 – Lightning at Rangers – 8 p.m. – TBD*
* – If necessary
SBG Odds Analysis – The Value of Championship Experience
Sharps are smiling after games three and four. The masses jumped all over the Rangers, expecting a sweep. But Wise Guys valued the experience of the 2-time defending Stanley Cup champion. The sportsbook adage goes that a team is never in trouble until they lose a game on home ice. Sharps took that to heart, knowing they would get a full effort out of the Lightning at home. Even when the Rangers were down 2-0 in game three, the live-betting markets saw sharp money come in on Tampa Bay.
Now, the question is if the Lightning can steal a game at Madison Square Garden? Certainly, they showed they could win playoff games in the clutch in the first round against Toronto in game seven. And then there is the question of the Rangers’ mentality. New York was confident after taking a 2-0 lead. Following their two losses at Tampa Bay, the Rangers realize how difficult this series will be.
Rangers vs. Lightning By the Numbers
Late on, the Lightning has gone under the total in eight of their previous nine games. Tampa Bay has won eight of its most recent ten games. New York has won five of its last seven games against Tampa Bay. Specifically, the Lighting have gone under the total on the road in four of their previous five games. At New York, the Rangers have beaten Tampa Bay in four of their last five meetings.
New York has gone under the total in eight of their previous 11 games. Also, the Rangers have gotten the cash in six of their last nine games. New York and Tampa Bay have gone under the total in five of their previous six meetings. The Rangers have won eight consecutive games at home.
Lightning vs. Rangers Key Players
Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy had a strong performance at home with 62 saves on 65 shots. His save percentage is .925 in the regular season. In comparison, New York’s Igor Shesterkin was lit up for 82 shots and 76 saves. His playoff save percentage is .929.
Lightning vs. Rangers Series SBG Free Picks
In this situation, the Lightning has the Rangers on the run. Tampa Bay has shown that the heart of a champion is an NHL betting metric that cannot be measured. The young Rangers are learning just how hard it is to beat a 2-time champion.
Lightning vs. Rangers Series SBG Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning.