New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction: Can We Expect an Epic Goaltending Duel in Game 1?

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction: Can We Expect an Epic Goaltending Duel in Game 1?

The New York Rangers are coming off a huge Game 7 blowout win as they handled the Carolina Hurricanes by a 6-2 score, in Raleigh. The Tampa Bay Lightning enter the series coming off a four-game sweep of the Florida Panthers and have been off for eight days. While the West final showcased plenty of goals last night and will continue to do so, the East final is all about defense and goaltending, especially the goaltending. 

Let's dive into my prediction, pick, and the odds for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning.

Rangers vs. Lightning Game 1 Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: June 1, 2022
• Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+

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New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 1 Line Movement

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 1 Prediction

This is a battle between the two best goalies in the NHL. Igor Shesterkin, who is going to be the Vezina winner this year, has been sparkling in the playoffs. Igor boasts an 8-5 record with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage in the playoffs this season. At home, he is 6-1 with a 2.04 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage. His numbers were better at home during the regular season as well, where he was 21-6-3 with a 1.85 goals against and a .940 save percentage.

Opposite him is Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Big Cat has a playoff record this season of 8-3 with a 2.22 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. He has won six games in a row and has given up a total of seven goals since the Bolts trailed the Maple Leafs three games to two in the first round. Tampa Bay is averaging 2.45 goals against as a team during the playoffs and New York is averaging 3.00 goals against.  During the regular season, these teams met three times with the Rangers winning all three by scores of 4-3, 4-0, and 2-1. I am expecting this to be a very very low-scoring series and am surprised that the Under 5.5 is barely juiced. This series should see totals of five very quickly as both goalies will put on a show. The series will be very entertaining, but low scoring. 

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game 1 Pick

Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers Under 5.5 -110 (Bet $110 to win $100)

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