Rangers vs Lightning Prediction & Odds - 4/7/2025

With the regular season winding down, Monday's clash at Madison Square Garden features a Lightning team that's already clinched a playoff spot against a Rangers squad fighting for their postseason lives, now sitting four points out of the final wildcard position.

While Tampa boasts the league's second-best offense led by potential MVP Nikita Kucherov (112 points), they've gone cold lately, managing just three goals in their last two losses – something Igor Shesterkin and the Rangers will look to capitalize on as they've won two of their last three.

This goaltending battle between Vasilevskiy and Shesterkin could ultimately determine whether the New York Rangers can keep their playoff hopes alive against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Best NHL sportsbook promos

New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning preview

The Lightning roll into Madison Square Garden tonight with playoff positioning on the line while the Rangers are fighting for their postseason lives, now four points behind Montreal for the final wildcard spot.

Tampa's offensive juggernaut, led by potential MVP Nikita Kucherov and his ridiculous 112 points, has cooled a bit lately with only three goals in their last two losses.

The goaltending matchup features two of the league's elite netminders in Vasilevskiy and Shesterkin, though Shesterkin hasn't quite matched his usual stellar form this season with a 2.86 GAA.

Artemi Panarin remains the Rangers' offensive catalyst with 82 points, but they'll need more from struggling veteran Mika Zibanejad, who's been held pointless in his last two outings.

Lightning's Jake Guentzel comes in hot after posting 16 points last month, giving Tampa another dangerous weapon beyond Kucherov and Point.

These teams have met just once this season with Tampa dominating in a 6-2 victory, but the Rangers have found their scoring touch lately, netting four-plus goals in three of their last four games.

The Garden crowd will be at fever pitch, knowing their team's playoff hopes hang in the balance against a Lightning squad that's dropped four of their last five road contests.

Something's gotta give between Tampa's elite offense (3.5 goals per game) and a Rangers team that simply can't afford another loss at this critical juncture.