We have loved the action throughout this impressive NHL regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs, but now we are entering the Conference Finals, with a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals up for grabs. We are sure to see the cracking playoffs continue in this round, and teams putting it all on the line to make it to the final. But before we get to the Stanley Cup Final, teams have one more hurdle to overcome – the Conference Finals.
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Look below to find our free NHL picks for the fourth game of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Rangers and Lightning.
New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 8.00pm ET
We enter Game 4 of this series between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Lightning are finally on the board after a win in Game 3. In Game 3 it was actually the Rangers that were leading going into the third period, but two goals from the Lightning in the final period meant they walked away with a 3-2 win.
Marko Nadin
The Tampa Bay Lightning were on the verge of going 0-3 down in the Eastern Conference Finals as the New York Rangers had a 2-0 lead in the middle of Game 3. The defending champions regrouped and found a way to turn things around in the final period of Game 3 and stay alive in the series. That win is a huge boost for the Lightning who are going into Game 4 as favorites. They have a lot of playoff experience and will use that in their favor and tie things up in the series tonight. Tampa Bay is the better team between these two and will prove that tonight.
The Lightning have won 5 of the last 6 games following a win, 149 of the last 208 games when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and 37 of the last 52 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. The Rangers have won 4 of the last 5 games playing after one day rest and have lost 7 of the last 10 games as underdogs and 4 of the last 5 road games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-182)
Tony Battalio
The Tampa Bay Lighting got a huge win in Game 3 of this series to pull within one game. As they now trail this series 1-2 heading into Game 4 at home. They will be looking to win another game and pull the series even before heading back to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 of this Eastern Conference Finals series. They have been great all playoffs long when their backs have been against the wall, but who knows if that will be the case in this series.
The New York Rangers were oh so close to taking a 3-0 lead and nearly closing the book on the two time defending champion’s season. However, they were not able to get the job done and now they find themselves up 2-1 heading into Game 4 on Tuesday evening. They will be looking to grab another win and put themselves on the brink of making the Stanley Cup Finals with another victory here in Game 4. However, I don’t expect that to happen as I am going with the Tampa Bay Lightning to pick up the win and even up the series here at home.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-182)
Jeffery Thomas
The Tampa Bay Lightning avoided falling in an impossible 0-3 hole by getting a last-minute goal in regulation to get the series to 1-2 with the New York Rangers. That moment could be the momentum swing that the defending champs need to get themselves all the way back in the series. It seemed to only be a matter of time, as they outshot the Rangers by a wide margin all game but just could not seem to get anything to fall.
Now they have another home game to tie things up and you have to like their chances, especially given the fact that home teams are 3-0 so far in this series. The Rangers can go toe to toe with the Bolts and I think this series has the makings of a long one. Things will be knotted up at 2 a piece when we head back to New York for Game 5.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-182)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
