Tampa Bay (44-26-6) at NY Rangers (36-33-7)
- When: Apr 7 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA
- TV: MSG
Lightning vs. Rangers Preview & Prediction
Lightning Moneyline -150 | Total: 5.5
As the regular season winds down, Tampa Bay enters Monday’s contest with playoff security and momentum, while New York finds itself scrambling to stay alive in the wild card race.
Tampa Bay Outlook:
The Lightning (44-26-6, 94 points) have already punched their ticket to the postseason for the eighth year in a row, but they aren’t hitting cruise control just yet. They sit within striking distance of the Atlantic Division lead and are still battling the Florida Panthers for home-ice positioning in the first round.
Tampa Bay has been one of the league’s hottest teams since early February, going 17-6-2 in their last 25 games. That said, their offense has sputtered over the past two, managing just three total goals after piling up 23 in a previous four-game stretch. In Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss to Buffalo, Brayden Point notched his 39th goal of the season, but Tampa failed to hold a third-period lead.
Backup goalie Jonas Johansson was outstanding despite defensive lapses in front of him, stopping 36 shots and keeping the Lightning in the game. With playoff seeding on the line, expect a more polished and disciplined effort in this one.
New York Rangers Outlook:
The Rangers (36-33-7, 79 points) are clinging to hope in the Eastern wild card chase. But after Saturday’s lifeless 4-0 loss to New Jersey, their path is growing steeper. They’ve dropped two of their last three and continue to struggle with execution, particularly on special teams.
Over the last 19 games, New York’s power play is an abysmal 3-for-52. That lack of production is compounded by recent defensive breakdowns — they’ve allowed five power-play goals and three shorthanded tallies in the last five games alone.
With just six games remaining and two of them against Tampa Bay, the Rangers are running out of chances. Their inability to generate quality scoring opportunities, coupled with inconsistent goaltending and special teams, puts them at a serious disadvantage heading into Monday’s tilt.
Betting Prediction:
The Lightning are more complete, more consistent, and far more trustworthy in big games at this point in the season. While New York is technically still in the playoff mix, their recent play shows a team that’s trending downward fast.
Prediction: Lightning 4, Rangers 2
Best Bet: Tampa Bay -150 (Moneyline)
Over/Under Lean: Over 5.5 (-117)
Tampa’s firepower, combined with the Rangers’ defensive breakdowns and shaky penalty kill, could push this total over the number late.
- NHL Odds source: MYBookie Sportsbook
