Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The New York Rangers are edging towards a disappointing end to their campaign. With six games left in the regular season, they sit six points behind the Montreal Canadiens. Next up is a home clash with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who remain firmly in contention for the top spot in their division and will be determined not to drop any points at this stage.
New York Rangers
The main concern for the New York Rangers is their vulnerability at the back, compounded by a below-par season from Igor Shestyorkin. This was evident in their recent 0:4 loss to the New Jersey Devils, where they conceded four goals from only 16 shots faced. Despite their defensive woes, the team continues to perform well offensively. Artemi Panarin is enjoying a stellar season, tallying 82 points (34 goals and 48 assists) across 74 games. He recently put together an 11-game point streak and registered seven points in three games last week.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are second in the league for average goals per game and appear set to finish among the top three heading into the playoffs. Averaging 3.54 goals per game and converting 24.8% of their power play opportunities, they rank among the league’s top ten in both categories. Nikita Kucherov continues to be a standout performer, trailing Nathan MacKinnon by just three points in the scoring race and showing a clear intent to close that gap. He’s been well supported by Brayden Point, who has collected seven points in his last five appearances.
New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction
Both teams are at their most dangerous going forward. Their only previous meeting this season ended in eight goals. There’s every indication this game will follow a similar script, with neither side likely to sit back. As a result, the most logical betting option is Total Over 5.5 Goals, given the attacking strengths on display.
