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Lightning vs. Rangers Prediction: Tampa Bay Predicted to Win Thursday's NHL Matchup [4/17/2025]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Our expert prediction for Thursday's Tampa Bay Lightning vs NY Rangers matchup.
The NY Rangers will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2025 NHL Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, commencing at 7:00PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model (see Dimers Pro for full access) projects the Lightning as the most likely winner of today's game.
"Using the latest data, our experts simulated Thursday's Tampa Bay-NY Rangers game 10,000 times," said Mac Douglass from Dimers.
"Taking into account recent updates and various additional inputs, we forecast the Lightning with a win probability of 51% and the Rangers with 49%."
For a closer look at Thursday's matchup, including best bets and player prop picks, visit our interactive Lightning vs. Rangers predictions page.
Get 20% off Dimers Pro With Code 20HOCKEY Get Dimers Pro Lightning vs. Lightning Prediction: Who Will Win, Cover the Puck Line?
Using innovative machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL Playoffs matchup between the Lightning and Rangers 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Lightning a 51% chance of defeating the Rangers.
According to our model, the Lightning (+1.5) have a 71% chance of covering the puck line, while the 6.5-goal over/under has a 52% chance of staying under.
Lightning vs. Rangers Odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Lightning | Rangers |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-250) | -1.5 (+200) |
| Moneyline | -110 | -104 |
| Total | o6.5 (-120) | u6.5 (+105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
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Lightning vs. Rangers Picks and Best Bets
Our model's strongest edge in today's Lightning vs. Rangers matchup is on the puck line.
Our expert predictions, matched against the current odds, reveal the best NHL picks and NHL best bets for every game throughout the season.
Unlimited access to our complete suite of picks, including this one, is available via Dimers Pro.
Unlock Every Lightning-Rangers Pick Get Dimers Pro Lightning vs. Rangers Player Props
Who will score the first goal in Lightning vs. Rangers?
According to our model, Tampa Bay's Jake Guentzel is most likely to score the first goal in Lightning vs. Rangers.
Our projections give Guentzel a 7.4% chance of scoring the first goal at Madison Square Garden, while the Lightning star is a 37.0% chance of netting an anytime goal.
First Goal Scorer Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Jake Guentzel | 7.4% |
| Brayden Point | 6.8% |
| Nikita Kucherov | 6.8% |
NY Rangers
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Artemi Panarin | 5.5% |
| Mika Zibanejad | 5.4% |
| J.T. Miller | 5.3% |
Anytime Goal Scorer Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Jake Guentzel | 37.0% |
| Brayden Point | 36.6% |
| Nikita Kucherov | 33.8% |
NY Rangers
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Artemi Panarin | 30.1% |
| Mika Zibanejad | 28.5% |
| Chris Kreider | 27.7% |
Lightning vs. Rangers Game-Day Updates and Essential Details
Thursday's matchup between the Rangers and Lightning in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is scheduled to commence at 7:00PM ET.
- Who: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. NY Rangers
- Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
- Time: 7:00PM ET/4:00PM PT
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
The Stanley Cup Playoffs is the National Hockey League's annual elimination tournament to decide the winner of the Stanley Cup.
Sixteen teams, including the Lightning and Rangers, made the 2025 NHL Playoffs, which consists of four rounds: the First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.
Each round of the NHL Playoffs is contested as a best-of-seven series, with the first team to four wins moving on to the next round until a champion is crowned.
Dimers.com's in-depth preview of Thursday's Lightning vs. Rangers matchup includes our prediction, picks and the latest betting odds.
Before making any Tampa Bay vs. NY Rangers picks, be sure to check out the latest NHL predictions and betting advice from Dimers Pro.
Conclusion
We predict the Lightning, with a 51% win probability, will likely beat the Rangers on Thursday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Lightning vs. Rangers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from the latest data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Note: Clicking links to our partners may earn us a referral fee. Learn about how we review products and services.
More on NHL
Keep up with the latest NHL news and parlay picks throughout the season. Plus, our Stanley Cup odds provide the most up-to-date projections for the Stanley Cup title.
Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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