The third-round matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers kicks off with the series starting in the Big Apple. The Lightning are well-rested after sweeping the Florida Panthers, while the Rangers are coming off their second consecutive seven-game series. Representing the Cinderella story of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, they’ll hope to knock off the two-time defending champions. This is where you’ll find everything, including team win odds, the over/under, and point spreads.
Chris Kreider – Anytime Goal-Scorer (+200)
Chris Kreider scored two monumental goals against the Hurricanes in Game 7, finishing with three total in seven games. He had five against the Penguins in seven games and was tough to handle around the crease. In eight of 14 games so far in this postseason, Kreider has registered three shots or more, and we’re banking on that to happen in Game 1 tonight. If this happens, Kreider is a good bet for a goal at any point.
Andrei Vasilevskiy has given up a goal in each of the opening game’s first period but looked much sharper in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. He’ll have to be on top of his game against the Rangers team that has tons of firepower upfront and is capable of scoring on the backend. Kreider recorded three points in three games against the Lightning in the regular season, but all three points were assists. With how hot he’s coming into Game 1, it’s worth taking a gamble on him.
Corey Perry – Player Points (Over 0.5, +120)
Corey Perry comes in with some good value considering he’s had chemistry with Nikita Kucherov while working the front of the net on the power play. The Lightning will rely on his gritty services to make Igor Shesterkin’s life miserable in goal. He’s the best player of the remaining four teams to get under the skin of teams he’s up against.
Because of this, it may be worth taking a shot at putting money on him to record a point. We’ve seen him force teams to take uncharacteristic penalties by creating havoc around the crease and then make them pay for it on the man advantage. Head coach Jon Cooper loves his net-front presence, and he’s always a threat in a playoff atmosphere.
Nikita Kucherov – Anytime Goal-Scorer (+210)
With seven points in his last four games, Nikita Kucherov ensured that his reputation as a playoff performer was very much alive. He scored twice and was a lethal force on the power play, and we expect that to continue against the Rangers. He was only available in one regular-season meeting against New York this season but failed to record a point. Expect that to change, as Kucherov has been red-hot as of late.
At a +210 return, it’s too appealing not to take the bet on this one. The Lightning have been a fantastic road team during the postseason, and their special teams are nothing to mess around with. Along with a third line that can frustrate the best of teams, Kucherov will have all the space he needs to have an impact on the series. Take him to score a goal tonight.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
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