Lightning vs. Rangers Prediction & Picks - December 28

New York Rangers v New Jersey Devils

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The Tampa Bay Lightning (19-11-2) square off against the New York Rangers (16-17-1) at Amalie Arena on Saturday, December 28 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The Lightning defeated the Florida Panthers 4-0 in their most recent game, while the Rangers are coming off a 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils.

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Here's our prediction for who will clinch the victory in Saturday's game.

The Rangers have put up a 3-7-0 record in their past 10 contests. They have scored 20 goals while allowing 30 in that time. On the power play, 27 opportunities have resulted in two goals (7.4% success rate).

Lightning vs. Rangers Predictions for Saturday

Our computer projection model for this encounter calls for a final tally of Lightning 5, Rangers 2.

  • Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-162)
  • Total Pick: Over 6 (computer predicts 6.3 goals on average)
  • Spread Pick: Lightning (-1.5)

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Lightning Splits and Trends

  • The Lightning (19-11-2 overall) have a 3-2-5 record in matchups that have needed overtime.
  • Tampa Bay is 4-4-1 (nine points) in its nine games decided by one goal.
  • In the two games this season the Lightning registered only one goal, they finished 0-1-1.
  • Tampa Bay has lost all five games this season when it scored two goals.
  • The Lightning are 19-5-1 in the 25 games when they have scored three or more goals (to register 39 points).
  • In the 11 games when Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal, it picked up 14 points after finishing 7-4-0.
  • In the 17 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 11-6-0 (22 points).
  • The Lightning have been outshot by opponents 13 times, and went 7-4-2 (16 points).

Rangers Splits and Trends

  • The Rangers have posted a record of -1-1 in overtime contests as part of an overall mark of 16-17-1.
  • In the 11 games New York has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 13 points.
  • This season the Rangers scored only one goal in seven games and they lost every time.
  • When New York has scored two goals this season, they've earned six points (3-4-0 record).
  • The Rangers have scored three or more goals in 18 games, earning 27 points from those contests.
  • This season, New York has capitalized on a lone power-play goal in 11 games and picked up 13 points with a record of 6-4-1.
  • When outshooting its opponent this season, New York is 7-5-1 (15 points).
  • The Rangers have been outshot by opponents in 19 games, going 8-11-0 to register 16 points.

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Team Stats Comparison

Lightning Rank Lightning AVG Rangers AVG Rangers Rank
1st 3.94 Goals Scored 2.82 22nd
7th 2.78 Goals Allowed 3 14th
17th 28.2 Shots 29.5 9th
12th 28 Shots Allowed 31.7 30th
3rd 27.08% Power Play % 18.68% 21st
14th 80.22% Penalty Kill % 85.32% 4th

Lightning vs. Rangers Game Time and TV Channel

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