The New York Rangers (61-26-2-5) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (58-29-3-5) have both had long and arduous roads to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. The playoffs are only half over for one of these two sides though, as they begin the fight to get into the Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday afternoon.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Rangers are looked upon as a relatively level team to the Lightning in this series, so it shouldn't be all that surprising that they are only -140 favorites in Game 1.
The total in this series started at 5, though it should be noted that all three games in this series in the regular season featured at least six goals.
GOALIE REPORT
Henrik Lundqvist, in fact, was terrible against the Lightning this year in the regular season, posting a .823 save percentage and a 4.74 GAA. He has been a lot better here in the playoffs obviously, posting a 1.60 GAA and a .944 save percentage.
Ben Bishop has had some really great games in the playoffs, but the fact of the matter is that he has a 1.81 GAA, which isn't as strong as you would think it is. In games where he hasn't been fantastic, he’s merely been average, and average isn't going to beat Lundqvist and the Rangers in Game 1 or any point along the way in this series.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Our goalie continues to step up in big situations. The longer the series goes, Ben just gets better and better." – Lightning head coach Jon Cooper on Ben Bishop and his big outing in Game 6 against Montreal
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Lightning were terrible on the power play in the first eight games of the playoffs, but they were fantastic in the last five games against the Canadiens. They went 7-of-12 on their last dozen chances on the man advantage against Montreal, and that power play might play a huge role in Game 1 of this series as well.
PROP TALK
Tyler Johnson didn't score a point in either of the last two games against Montreal, but you just know that he is going to be stepping up in this series. He’s scored eight goals in the playoffs, including posting two multi-goal games. He's a great man to bet on in Game 1.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
The Rangers have played in 14 straight one-goal games in the playoffs, and they are obviously incredibly tested. The Lightning haven't had that same sort of history of playing well in tight games.
Sure, Tampa Bay has won four of its five one-goal games here in the playoffs, but we think this is going to end up being one of these tight games that just goes in the wrong direction for the visitors.
Yes, Lundqvist struggled in the regular season against the Lightning, but these are the playoffs. King Henrik hasn't allowed more than three goals in a game since Game 2 against the Penguins, and that streak won't end on Sunday.
The few extra days off should really help the physical Rangers stay on track, and they'll fire the first salvo against the Lightning on Sunday.
New York 3, Tampa Bay 2
BookMaker opened the odds for this Sunday game before anyone else on the internet. The Rangers are set at -150, while the total debuted at 5. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly interface on your smartphone or tablet provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 1 of the series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers will start at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
