Tyler Johnson and the Tampa Bay Lightning (59-30-3-5) fought back on Monday night, winning Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals to move within seven steps of a championship. The New York Rangers (62-27-2-5) are that close as well though, and they will be looking to take back home ice advantage right away from the Bolts in Game 3 Wednesday.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Yet another close call is expected from the oddsmakers in this one. The Lightning were around +120 dogs on the road in both games, and they'll be -120 favorites here back at home. The total will hold firm right between that cut line of 4.5 with high over vig and 5 with high under vig.
GOALIE REPORT
Henrik Lundqvist probably should have been pulled out of Monday night's game. He just didn't have it that night in allowing six goals, including three in the third period, two of which came on the power play. He only faced 26 shots, and should have stopped significantly more than just 20.
Ben Bishop wasn't electrifyingly good in Game 2, but he played solid hockey and kept the Lightning in it early on when they faced three consecutive penalty kills, including a full minute of 5-on-3 hockey. He stopped 35-of-37 shots on Monday night.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Oh, Tyler Johnson: The bigger the game, the better he plays. That's Tyler Johnson. It's unreal to watch. He put the team on his back, and we all followed." – Lightning head coach Jon Cooper on Johnson, who leads the NHL in goals in the playoffs
SITUATIONAL BETTING
There were eight goals scored in Game 2 between the two teams, and six of them came on special teams. The Lightning had three power play goals and a shorty, while the Rangers had two PPGs. New York took far too many sloppy penalties in Game 2, and though not all of them led to Lightning goals, many killed any momentum it had put together in the quest for the comeback.
PROP TALK
We hate to suggest betting against Johnson at this point, but there's really no choice. Yes, he and the Triplets have been fantastic in these playoffs, but if he comes out at +120 or so to score a goal in Game 3 as we expect, it's an easy no bet. Remember that it's very possible that there might be just a few goals scored in this game, and all eyes are going to be glued to Johnson all night long.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
This just feels like one of these series which can go back and forth all the way through.
Tampa's performance on Monday night was one of the best we have seen in the playoffs by any team, especially on the road, but this is still a maddeningly inconsistent squad.
The Lightning could struggle on offense in this one if Alain Vigneault can figure out how to slow the Triplets down just a bit, and we would expect to see "King Henrik" come up with a much better game as well.
New York 2, Tampa Bay 1
The NHL odds for this Wednesday contest were released first by BookMaker. The Lightning debuted at -120, while the total was initiated at 5. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker's live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. Game 3 of this series will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.
