In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Lightning vs NY Rangers Prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 28th at the Amalie Arena. 

Lightning Impressed in Last Game

The Lightning in the last game faced off against the Florida Panthers and they ended up securing the 4-0 victory. At the end of the first period they were up 3-0 and they were able cruise. Brandon Hagel scored a goal and added an assist to pace the Lightning. The Lightning are averaging 3.94 goals while their defense is giving up 2.78 goals per game. The offense is ranked 1st in the league while the defense is ranked 8th. Nikita Kucherov has been the top player so far this season scoring 15 goals and adding 35 assists. In this game, the offense is going to need to get out to a fast start. 

Why the Lightning Will Beat the Rangers 

• The home team has won six of the last seven games between the Rangers and Lightning.
• The Rangers have lost five of their last six games at Amalie Arena.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Rangers have lost the third period in five of their last six games as underdogs following a road loss.

Rangers Offense Has Struggled

The Rangers offense has struggled heading into this game and they have lost two games in a row. Two games ago against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Rangers were defeated 3-1 and in the last game against the New Jersey Devils and they lost 5-0. Jonathan Quick was in goal in the last game and he saved 24 of the 29 shots that he faced. All season the Rangers offense hasn’t been good enough and they are going to need to bounce back here. The Rangers are averaging 2.82 goals while their defense is giving up 3.0 goals per game. The offense is ranked 22nd in the league while the defense is ranked 14th. Artemi Panarin has scored 15 goals and added 22 assists so far this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning vs NY Rangers Prediction

The Lightning are going to put on a show here with their offense. The Lightning are averaging 3.94 goals per game, and they are going to get out a fast start. The Lightning are giving up only 2.78 goals per game and they are going to really lockdown here. The Rangers are going to fail to score even a goal and that will be the difference here as the Lightning will win this game on the puck line.