Picks for Lightning vs. Rangers in Game 5 of Eastern Conference Final

The Tampa Bay Lightning are back in business after winning two straight to even the Eastern Conference Final at 2-2. The New York Rangers head home reeling a bit after holding a commanding two-game lead. Will we see another masterful performance from Andrei Vasilevskiy and the defending champs? Or will the Rangers keep the Cinderella run going? (This sounds a lot like something an announcer would say.) Anyway, let’s look at the lines and make some predictions.

All odds come courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Lightning vs. Rangers: Game 5 predictions

Puck line: TB -1.5 (+190), NYR +1.5 (-235)
Goal total: 5 goals
Moneyline odds: TB -130, NYR +110

Goal total pick: In-game bet

We’re not going to take the over at -140 on 5.0 goals or the under at +120. Knowing both goalies and how Vasilevskiy played in Game 4, my lean is the under. There’s some value in looking at an in-game bet, though. If the goalies are on, see if you can get a good line on the under. If the chances are plenty and the ice is tilting a lot, consider hopping on the over. If you can get the O/U at 5.5, the under will get the edge, though it may still be worth betting depending on the price.

Moneyline or puck line pick: Lightning -130

This feels like the Bolts’ momentum carries over, and the Rangers aren’t able to shake off a few injuries to Ryan Strome and Filip Chytil — both will likely be GTDs for Game 5. If both are out, the Lightning have a big advantage. Chytil is third in goals this postseason behind Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Igor Shesterkin was phenomenal in Game 3 and less stellar in Game 4. Vasilevskiy has done this a bunch, and Shesterkin has not. This may not be a shutout (that may come in Game 6), but we should get peak Vasi. The Lightning know how important it is to go back home up 3-2 in this series. They get it done.

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