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 sixth game of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Rangers and Lightning.
New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 8.00pm ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning have their first chance to move into the Stanley Cup Finals with a win against the New York Rangers tonight, and their chance comes in front of their home crowd. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Rangers in Game 5, as the score was tied 1-1 well into the third period until the Lightning got their second goal, and then an empty net goal to dash any hope the Rangers had of a last minute comeback.
Tony Battalio
The New York Rangers are facing yet another deficit in this playoff round. They are down 2-3 at the moment and are facing a must win situation if they want to keep their magical playoff run alive. They have been in this position before as they have staged impressive comebacks in the first couple rounds of the playoffs as well. The Rangers will have home ice advantage if they win here in Game 6, as they will get to play a winner take all in Game 7 at home at Madison Square Garden.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are one game away from winning their third straight Eastern Conference Finals trophy and keeping their hopes at a three peat alive. They have looked a lot better over the last three games after going down in this series 0-2. They will have the luxury of being at home in this one and they have a shot to close it out in front of their home fans. As for the result of this game, I am going with the New York Rangers to tie this series at three games a piece.
Tony’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (+155)
Jeffery Thomas
The Tampa Bay Lightning are now one win away from making their third straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals following their 3-1 win on Thursday on the road. It was the first game that the New York Rangers dropped at home since their first round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins and now they’ll have to win on the road in Tampa on Saturday to keep their season alive.
That’s a tall ask for the Rangers who have lost three straight in this series and are facing the two-time defending champs who are one of the best teams at closing out teams in the playoffs. Andrei Vasilevskiy is playing out his mind at the moment, only allowing four goals in the past three games and I just don’t see a way the Lightning don’t close this one out in front of their fans on Saturday. Back the Bolts and their playoff experience in this close-out game.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-188)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
