Sport: NHLPick Selection: Lightning @ Ranger: NY
I'm laying the price with the NY RANGERS. The Rangers have struggled to score goals to start the season. However, the goal scoring drought is definitely not due to lack of offensive talent. Indeed, with players like Jagr, Shanahan, Gomez and Drury in the lineup, it's only a matter of time. Facing a Tampa team which has given up goals in bunches on the road, I expect the Jagr and co. light the lamp. The Lightning have played three road games, all against rather weak teams (Florida, Boston, Washington) and they've gone 0-3. They gave up a minimum of four goals in each of those games and an average of five. Looking back several years and we find that Tampa is now a money-burning 47-95 (-40.1) when playing a road game with an over/under line of 5.5. While the Rangers' offense has struggled, goalie Lundqvist has not. Lundqvist ranks fourth in the NHL with a 1.90 goals-against average, while playing all 10 games. Note that Lundqvist is 3-0-1 with one shutout and a 0.98 goals-against average lifetime against Tampa Bay. Despite a loss in their most recent game here, the Rangers remain an impressive 15-4 their last 19 home games, dating back to last season. The Rangers won the two series meetings played here last season by a combined score of 9-1. Look for more of the same this evening. *Personal Favorite
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