Written by Graeme & Scott on Friday, May 15th, 2015
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We posted the Blackhawks vs Ducks Series Betting Tips yesterday – now it’s time to discuss the Eastern Conference Final.
The New York Rangers take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. New York Rangers had to come from 3-1 down to win their series 4-3, while the Tampa Bay Lightning almost blew it. Up 3-0 against the Habs, Montreal clawed their way back into it. But Tampa played their best game of the series in Game 6, and went through.
What an interesting series this will be.
Let’s check out the schedule:
Lightning vs Rangers Schedule:
Game 1: Saturday, May 16th @ New York
Game 2: Monday, May 18th @ New York
Game 3: Wednesday, May 20th @ Tampa
Game 4: Friday, May 22nd @ Tampa
Game 5: Sunday, May 24th @ New York
Game 6: Tuesday, May 26th @ Tampa
Game 7: Friday, May 29th @ New York
The widely available odds have the Rangers as the favourites at 1.71, and the Lightning at 2.20.
Lightning vs Rangers Series Betting Tips:
Scott: This series, much like the Hawks vs Ducks, looks like it’s going to be awesome.
The Rangers come into this series having beat the Penguins and the Capitals. They have knocked out 2 of the three best players in the league in Crosby and Ovechkin so why not the third in Stamkos?
The Rangers have played in 12 straight one-goal games, so they rely heavily on Lundqvist. Marty St. Louis is facing his former team which may awake home from his cold streak.
The Lightning have made it to this point thanks to the Triplet Line of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov who have combined for half of the Lightnings goals in these playoffs. With that line doing so much damage, it’s helped the fact that Stamkos has been a little off. He only recorded three assists in 7 games against the Red Wings but rebounded for 3 goals and 4 assists against the Habs. If he continues his hot play and even betters it, he could win this series all by himself.
If the Rangers can score first, then they stand a great shot of holding on for the win thanks to their stingy play. But they are taking on the high powered Lightning. Who scored more than any other team this season. This is a tough series to predict and it could go either way. I just think that with the Rangers losing in the Cup final last year and then winning the Presidents trophy this year, they have the edge in this series. And Lundqvist has the edge over Ben Bishop.
Rangers in 6
Graeme: I’m usually about value – but I just can’t see the value on the Tampa Bay Lightning going into this one.
They’ve had two tight series – and I think this is one step too far from them. Detroit took them to game 7 in a very tight one and if the Habs had someone who could put the puck in the net, they wouldn’t even be here.
Rangers meanwhile are just an overall great team. They can match the Lightning in terms of speed and will be able to deal with Tampas speed as well.
I do think Lightning will claim a couple. Rangers aren’t invincible and they’ve shown that this season. But even when they come out looking average, it’s often all they need to get the win. And with the cup so close – that’s going to shift their motivation and momentum.
Rangers in 6
Seems like most of the experts are picking NYR in 6, or 7 which is understandable considering what a great all around, well coached, lock down team team they are. That being said, I think there’s a case to be made for Tampa.. Bishop is 8-0 versus the Rangers, and the Lightning are 5-1 in their last 6 against the Rangers. If the Lightning can use their speed to draw lots of penalties against a very disciplined, well coached (Canucks should never have let go of Vigneault) team I think they have a shot. Bishop will have to keep pace with Lundquist though, which he has proven in the past, albeit in the regular season, he can do. Two big if’s, but not beyond the realm of possibility
Oh yeah there’s a case to be made for Tampa for sure. Just not at those odds. Honestly I’d almost blindly bet whoever loses Game 1 at this stage.
I’m probably wrong on this one, and I will most likely end up picking NY in 6 or 7 in my playoff pool, as there seems to be a significant concensus amongst experts with most people jumping on the NYR bandwagon.. My gut just keeps telling me to go with Tampa
Line has actually moved – Rangers now 1.76 WA as opposed to 1.71. So looks like Tampa are getting some action.
I agonized over this series for the past day and a half and ended up hedging my bets by taking NYR in 7 in my pool (as no odds were involved) and taking Tampa to win the series at 2.20 at Sports Interaction. If Tampa wins game one I might take NYR to win the series to insure my bet. Either way, it’s going to be a great series. Go Tampa
Knew the bolts had it in them!
Hopefully they can put up a better fight against Anaheim or Chicago then NY did last year against LA.
Yeah that was good for Tampa – they deserve it. Their offense has been incredible and they’ve been fun to watch. Rangers – that was just sad. I could understand fatigue etc based on Game 7 & Game 5 – but then you have that Game 6.
It was a strange series. Very unpredictable. I thought Tampa was toast after game 7 with NY having won 10 game 7’s in a row at home. But Tampa clear out played them in game 7 and has proven to be a very resilient excellent road team