Offensive spectacle to kick off the NHL season?
The curtain is raised on the new NHL season! The match between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning kicks off the new season in the US National Hockey League this week. The Rangers are eager for revenge, because last season the NY Rangers were eliminated from the Conference Finals by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The bookmakers with a German licence see the hosts from New York as slight favourites in the season opener of the two NHL franchises. For New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, odds of 2.40 are offered for tip 1. If the Lightning win, on the other hand, odds of up to 2.60 are on offer.
New York Rangers – Statistics & Current Form
The NY Rangers start confidently into the new season in the NHL. Last season, head coach Gerard Gallant’s team narrowly missed out on a place in the 2022 Stanley Cup final. The Rangers had previously prevailed in the play-offs against teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins (4:3) and Carolina Hurricanes (4:3).
It was only against Tampa Bay in the Conference Finals – the semi-finals of the Stanley Cup 2022 – that they suffered a bitter defeat in the best-of-seven, especially as the New York Rangers also led 2-0 in the semi-final series at one point. Since then, the Rangers have stepped up again and are once more among the co-favourites for the NHL title.
Because the Rangers were already one of the strongest teams at home in the NHL last season, the role of favourite in the season opener against Tampa Bay is not at all surprising. In the 2021/22 season, Gallant’s team picked up 27 wins in 41 regular-season home games and only walked off the ice as losers 14 times – a good omen ahead of the upcoming match-up against Tampa Bay?
Tampa Bay Lightning – Statistics & current form
In recent years, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been one of the strongest teams in the NHL. Twice the NHL franchise from Florida won the NHL title in this period – 2020 and 2021. In the last season, the title defence failed in the 2022 Stanley Cup for it against Colorado Avalanche. In the best-of-7, they lost 4-2 to their NHL rivals from Colorado.
Since then, preparations for the new season have been in full swing. In the preseason, Tampa Bay had disappointed immensely and lost four of the last five matches. Only in the dress rehearsal against the Florida Panthers was there a 5:2 victory to celebrate. It therefore remains to be seen how Tampa Bay will approach the encounter in New York.
The showpiece last season was undoubtedly the offensive power for the Lightning. With 287 goals in 82 NHL games, Tampa Bay had the third-best offensive unit in the Eastern Conference, posting a 3.50 goals-per-game rate. It is quite possible that this will be continued this season. The team structure at least remained largely stable.
New York Rangers – Tampa Bay Lightning Tip
The New York Rangers are on the road to redemption this season and want to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1994. For this purpose, the existing squad was once again increased. How strong the Rangers are this season will be seen in the season opener against Tampa Bay Lightning, finalists for the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Just like the visitors from Florida, the four-time NHL champions from New York have not had the best pre-season. Nevertheless, the role of favourite in the encounter with Tampa Bay is understandable. After all, the Rangers were already one of the strongest teams at home in the National Hockey League last season.
New York won four of their last five games at home against their upcoming opponents from Tampa Bay. We therefore think it is obvious to place a bet on the New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning at reasonable odds this time as well.
