The Tampa Bay Lightning made things interesting with a Game 3 victory over the New York Rangers. While the Lightning are still down 2-1 in the series, another home victory could send the series back to Madison Square Garden all tied up. Can the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champions get back to form? This is where you’ll find everything, including team win odds, the over/under, and point spreads.
Adam Fox – Player Assists (Over 0.5, -140)
Just when you think you’ve seen it all from Adam Fox, he surprises you some more. The 23-year-old blueliner is currently on an eight-game point streak, including five multi-point efforts. He’s stepped up big time for the Rangers and remains one of their best players this postseason. Fox has a bright future ahead of him, but his current progression is near the point of blinding fans.
From Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes to the present day, Fox has 13 points, 11 of which are assists. His continued efforts at finding open lanes and keeping pucks low to force rebounds are a big part of his production. The Rangers will need everything they have to knock off Tampa Bay, and the way Fox is playing, he gives them hope.
Victor Hedman – Player Power Play Points (Over 0.5, +110)
Victor Hedman has 13 points in 14 games, and 11 of them have come on the man advantage. He’s been a nightmare to opposing teams whenever the Lightning take to the power play, and they do so often. Combined with speed, size, and determination, they always find a way to force the opposition into a stick or obstruction penalty. The Lightning are 3-for-8 on the power play against the Rangers, and it’s one area they look to continue exploiting.
Nikita Kucherov – Player Points (Over 0.5, +130)
Nikita Kucherov‘s goal in Game 3 was his sixth of the postseason, and while it may seem low, it’s actually right on par with recent history. Leading up to the Stanley Cup Final in the last two years, Kucherov registered no more than six goals. He eventually turned it up with four goals in 10 Stanley Cup Final games. This could be the year he breaks from that pattern and continues his goal-scoring ways.
The fun thing about his style of play is that when he’s not scoring, Kucherov still finds a way onto the scoresheet. He has 18 points in the last two Eastern Conference Finals, both times against the New York Islanders. The Rangers are doing everything possible to keep him guarded, but they have other weapons to watch over, and it sometimes leaves Kucherov open. At a +135 gain for Kucherov to record at least one point, this seems like a gamble worth putting money on.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
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