Top NHL Playoffs Betting Odds & Picks for Friday, June 3 (2022)
Game 2 is set to get underway in the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers. Despite only one game on Friday, there are still a couple of great betting angles to attack.
Below, I give out my two best bets for Friday’s lone game.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
Tampa Bay Lightning (-130) @ New York Rangers (+110)
The New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning again in Game 2 following Wednesday’s 6-2 victory. For those who have followed the playoffs this season and over the past few years, you already know the trend that I am backing in this game.
For those who may not be aware, the Tampa Bay Lightning have now won 17 straight playoff games following a loss. This feat is currently the NHL record, and Tampa Bay will look to continue this trend in Game 2.
A big reason for this trend is starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. This postseason, Vasilevskiy is 8-4 with a 0.923 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average.
While Vasilevskiy and the Lightning had a tough outing in Game 1, it was not that shocking as they went on the road after eight days off. Unfortunately, their rust showed as they came out slow while the Rangers were in full gear just one day removed from their Game 7 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
Game 1 was a wake-up moment for the Tampa Bay Lightning as they should now be back in playoff gear following a long time off, and I am backing their bounceback trend until it fails.
Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning ML (-130)
Tampa Bay Lightning @ New York Rangers, o/u 5.5 (-105/-115)
As I mentioned above, the Lightning were extremely rusty in Game 1 and were not in the playoff mindset after eight days off. This fact was evident right from the start as the Rangers scored just one minute into the game.
Once that first goal was scored, the tempo and pace of the game were set. With that being said, I expect a much more tense start in Game 2 and the Lightning to be much more lively in the defensive zone.
If the pace slows down, each of these starting goaltenders should take care of the rest to help this under cash. I already mentioned Vasilevskiy’s track record above, and Rangers’ starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin’s record is just as good.
This postseason, Shesterkin is 9-5 with a 0.929 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average. Due to the outstanding play of each goaltender, there have been under 5.5 total goals scored in four of Tampa Bay’s last six games (67%) and in five of New York’s previous eight games (63%).
While each offense is very capable of finding the back of the net, I just can not bet against either of these goaltenders, especially Vasilevskiy, following a loss.
Best Bet: Lightning/Rangers u5.5 (-115)
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.