Lightning vs Rangers Picks and Prediction – 4/17/2025

On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-26-8) face off against the New York Rangers (38-36-7) at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Make sure you stay up to date with all the NHL action, with our expert NHL picks.

New York comes into this matchup on a one-game winning streak, but has dropped three of their last five games. In their 5-3 victory over Florida, Juuso Parssinen contributed significantly for the Rangers by scoring a goal and providing an assist. This season, Artemi Panarin has been a standout player for New York, topping the team with 37 goals. Vincent Trocheck follows as the second-highest goal scorer with 25. Panarin not only leads in goals but also dominates in total points, amassing 89 thus far, and he has been a key playmaker with 52 assists. Recently, in the last five games, the Rangers have been struggling defensively, allowing an average of 5 goals per game, as they aim to avoid being swept by the Lightning in their season series. They are eager to revitalize their offensive play and strengthen their defense. On average, the Rangers score 3.1 goals each game.

Tampa Bay enters this game on a one-game winning streak, but has dropped three of their last five games prior to their game against Florida. In their recent 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Conor Geekie found the back of the net for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Throughout this season, Brayden Point has been the team’s top goal-scorer, racking up an impressive 41 goals. Close behind him is Jake Guentzel, who has tallied 40 goals so far this year, making him the Lightning’s second-highest scorer. Leading the team in overall points is Nikita Kucherov, who has amassed a remarkable 119 points, thanks in large part to his league-leading playmaking abilities—he also tops the team with 83 assists. Defensively, the Lightning have allowed an average of 3.2 goals per game over their last five matches as they prepare to face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, aiming to complete a season sweep of their rivals. Offensively, Tampa Bay remains strong, averaging 3.6 goals per game this season.

Tampa Bay’s offense has been firing on all cylinders this season, consistently putting up impressive numbers and making big plays. Their defense has also excelled, especially during away games, where they’ve managed to stifle opponents and maintain their winning streak. As they travel to New York to take on the Rangers, the Lightning will aim to continue their dominant performances and keep their undefeated record against them intact. On the other hand, the Rangers have had difficulty defending their home ice at Madison Square Garden, struggling to keep opponents at bay. With another tough challenge ahead, they’ll be focused on tightening up their defensive strategies and making key adjustments in hopes of turning their fortunes around in this crucial matchup. Final Score Prediction, Tampa Bay Lightning wins 11-2.