The Lightning vs Rangers showdown at Madison Square Garden on Monday, April 7, 2025, brings playoff urgency and high-stakes energy to the Big Apple. The Tampa Bay Lightning (44-26-6) have officially clinched a postseason berth, while the New York Rangers (36-33-7) are still clinging to wild card hopes.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on whether Tampa Bay sharpens its playoff form or if New York can spark a desperately needed turnaround.
In this preview, we break down the latest Lightning vs Rangers odds, recent form, injury reports, player props, and our favorite same-game parlay for bettors looking to cash in on this high-profile Eastern Conference clash.
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๐ Lightning vs Rangers Odds (April 7, 2025)
Bet Type | Odds |
Moneyline | Lightning -150 / Rangers +130 |
Puck Line | Lightning -1.5 (+170) / Rangers +1.5 (-200) |
Total Goals | Over 6.0 (-110) / Under 6.0 (-110) |
๐ Betting movement: Tampa Bay opened at -135 but was quickly bet up to -150 after clinching a playoff spot and the Rangers’ recent collapse.
๐ฐ Lightning vs Rangers Game Storylines
โก Tampa Bay Lightning: Postseason-Ready
The Lightning secured their playoff ticket over the weekend, benefiting from New Yorkโs 4-0 loss to the Devils. Though they dropped their last outing in a 3-2 shootout to Buffalo, Tampa is surging at the right time and sits just two points ahead of the Florida Panthers in the Atlantic.
Key Stats:
- 7-2-1 in their last 10 games
- Power play ranks 5th in the NHL (26.4%)
- Brayden Point: 39 goals, 84 points
- Nikita Kucherov: 112 points (32G, 80A)
๐ต New York Rangers: Must-Win Territory
The Rangers’ back-to-back losses have been brutal for their playoff chase. Saturdayโs 4-0 shutout loss to New Jersey snapped what little momentum they had, and they now trail the Canadiens by four points for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot.
Key Stats:
- 3-6-1 in their last 10
- Just 1 power play goal in their last 5 games
- Igor Shesterkin: 2.93 GAA, .905 SV%
- Chris Kreider: 32 goals (team-high)
Head coach Peter Laviolette called the latest loss “unacceptable” and emphasized urgency, but this Rangers team has struggled with consistency all season.
๐ Injury Report โ Lightning vs Rangers
Lightning:
- Anthony Cirelli โ OUT (upper-body)
- Tanner Jeannot โ DAY-TO-DAY (foot)
Rangers:
- Filip Chytil โ OUT (concussion)
- Blake Wheeler โ OUT (leg)
- Ryan Lindgren โ QUESTIONABLE (upper-body)
๐ Source: FTW USA Today Injury Report
๐ง Lightning vs Rangers Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into Madison Square Garden the more confident and complete team. The Lightning’s special teams and depth scoring offer a clear edge over a Rangers squad that has gone ice cold when it matters most.
With Kucherov orchestrating from the wing and Andrei Vasilevskiy likely in net, expect Tampa Bay to take control early and frustrate a Rangers team that hasnโt scored more than 2 goals in three straight games.
โ Prediction:
Lightning 4, Rangers 2
๐ฏ Key Matchups โ Lightning vs Rangers
๐ฏ Kucherov & Point vs Rangersโ Top Pairing
The dynamic Lightning duo will look to exploit New Yorkโs depleted blue line, especially if Lindgren sits out again. Expect Tampa Bay to set the tempo and force Shesterkin to be nearly perfect.
๐ฏ Chris Kreider vs Vasilevskiy
Kreider remains New Yorkโs top threat in front of the net, especially on deflections and rebounds. Vasilevskiy will need to be sharp in tight spaces.
๐ฐ Lightning vs Rangers Best Prop Bets
โญ Nikita Kucherov โ Over 1.5 Points (+150)
Kucherov has 12 multi-point games over his last 20. His chemistry with Point and Hedman on the power play is lethal.
โญ Brayden Point โ Anytime Goal Scorer (+130)
Sitting on 39 goals, Point has scored in four of his last six and is a key net-front presence.
โญ Rangers Team Total โ Under 2.5 Goals (+110)
New York has been shut out twice in the last five and scored two or fewer in four straight.
๐ฅ Same-Game Parlay: Lightning vs Rangers (+600)
Hereโs a high-value same-game parlay tailored to how we expect this one to unfold:
Leg | โ |
Lightning Moneyline (-150) | โ |
Brayden Point Anytime Goal (+130) | โ |
Rangers Under 2.5 Total Goals (+110) | โ |
๐ธ Payout: +600
๐ฐ $10 bet = $70 return
This parlay leans into Tampa Bayโs elite top line and New Yorkโs scoring drought โ a perfect storm for bettors.
๐บ Where to Watch Lightning vs Rangers? (April 7, 2025)
- ๐ Venue: Madison Square Garden โ New York, NY
- ๐ Date: Monday, April 7, 2025
- โฐ Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- ๐บ TV: MSG Network, Bally Sports Sun, NHL Network
- ๐ฑ Streaming: ESPN+, fuboTV, Sling
๐ Lightning vs Rangers Betting Recap
Bet | Type |
Lightning ML (-150) | Moneyline |
Under 6.0 Goals (-110) | Game Total |
Kucherov Over 1.5 Points (+150) | Player Prop |
Point Anytime Goal (+130) | Player Prop |
SGP: Lightning + Point + Under = +600 | Parlay |