Free NHL Picks Today: Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers 12/29/22

The Tampa Bay Lightning (-145) play host to the New York Rangers (+125) at Amalie Arena on Thursday. The total is 6 (O: -110, U: -110)New York (19-12-5) is coming off a 4-0 loss against the Capitals on Tuesday.

The Rangers conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities. Igor Shesterkin saved only 26 of 29 shots against (.896%) in the loss.

Tampa Bay (21-11-1) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 4-1 win over the Canadiens yesterday, their fifth win in a row at home. Brayden Point scored twice to lead the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy was impressive in the win, making 25 saves (.961%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Rangers won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-1 victory in October. Mika Zibanejad led New York with two goals. Steven Stamkos scored Tampa Bay’s only goal. Shesterkin got the win, saving 25 of 26 shots (.961%).

FACING OFF

New York is averaging 3.19 goals per game for the season, 15th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Lightning team that is allowing 2.94 goals a game (13th). Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has found the net 3.61 times a game on average, third in the league, and the Rangers are allowing opponents to score 2.75 goals per game (10th).

The Lightning’s 26.89% power play percentage ranks sixth in the league, while the Rangers are 17th with a conversion rate of 21.93%. In terms of penalty killing, Tampa Bay has the league’s sixth-ranked PK% at 81.65%, while New York is 15th at 79.25%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad have been the top skaters for the Rangers this season with 41 and 38 points. Panarin is among the league leaders with his 32 assists (6th). In the net, Shesterkin (17-6-4) is New York’s top goaltender. He has a 2.47 GAA and a .915% save percentage.

Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 50 points (5th in the league). He has a league-best 37 assists and 13 goals (). Vasilevskiy (13-9-1) is the top goalie for Tampa Bay with a goals against average of 2.53. He has a save percentage of .917%.

HOME AND AWAY

New York is 11-5-1 on the road this season. Tampa Bay is 13-4-1 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Lightning are 2-3 without a day off and 2-3 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Rangers are 0-3 with a rest advantage.