New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning 8:00 PM ET
Another round of a heavy weight battle takes place in Tampa tonight. Can the Rangers take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series to try to close it out at home in game 5? Will the Lightning come up with another big game to even the series at 2?
Home ice has played well through the playoffs so far this year. Tampa Bay is 5-1 at home. The Rangers are 2-6 on the road. Let’s not forget a stellar performance in game 7 last round against Carolina though.
This game is fairly evenly matched and in most areas too close to call who has the advantage. That’s one reason we’ve seen such tight games, especially the last two games. I can’t pick a side here. My lean on the total would be O5.5, but it’s not strong enough to where I want to play it.
The story line has been all about Shesterkin and Vasilevskiy, and for good reason. When these two live up to their potential they are out of their minds good. So why not highlight the best matchup in the game, or at least part of it. Let’s focus on goalie props here.
The New York Rangers on offense are putting up 32.06 shots per game in the playoffs. The Tampa Bay Lightning are giving up 33.00 shots per game in these playoffs so far on defense.
The Lightning on offense are putting up 33.07 shots per game, where the Rangers are giving up a whopping 39.24 shots per game.
Vasilevskiy’s save prop is at 27.5 juiced to the over at -120.
Shesterkin’s save prop is at 33.5 juiced slightly to the under at -115.
Strome and Goodrow are both expected to play tonight for the Rangers after blocking shots in game 3 to put them on the injury report. The question becomes how effective will they be on both the offensive end and the defensive end on the second and fourth lines respectively. How that would reflect in the shot for total I’m not sure. It could mean they give up even more shots to the Lightning here if they are a bit injured and a couple steps slow.
There are no changes tonight for the Lightning.
Shesterkin has faced 39 or more shots in 4 of the last 5 games. He has saved 37 or more shots in those same 4 of 5 games. Tampa will want to put pressure on the Rangers here early to see if they can get an early home advantage. I don’t see Tampa coming out conservatively here.
We’re getting decent value here with a team that shoots a lot and another that gives up a lot of shots. It will once again come down to the goalie’s to see who reigns supreme in the series by the end of the night.
Take Shesterkin O33.5 saves -110 1U
