Vegas Play of the Day: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez, left, scorees the winning goal past New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, of Sweden, during the second overtime period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals, Friday, June 13, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Sat, May 16, 2015 (2 a.m.)

The pair of NHL conference finals are as close as they come, according to sports books’ odds.

In the west, the Anaheim Ducks initially opened as a slight favorite before action flipped the Chicago Blackhawks to the minus-120 chalk. The Ducks come back at Even money despite home-ice advantage.

The Rangers are minus-135 with home ice in the east over the Lightning, which are listed at plus-115. The South Point-lined Play of the Day, which started with $10,000 fictional bankrolls, is here to help get your conference finals off to a fast start.

Tampa Bay Lightning plus-125 at New York Rangers: $260 to win $325

Fading the hottest goalie left in the playoffs, New York’s Henrick Lundqvist, is never ideal. Backing the best offensive team left, Tampa Bay, makes it easier.

If anyone can slip a puck or two past Lundqvist, it’s Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. The superstar has ended an early playoff slump with goals in two straight games.

He also had a pair of three-point performances in three games against the Rangers this regular season. The Lightning swept the series, by the way, outscoring the Rangers 15-7 total.

New York had to give everything it had to reach the eastern conference finals, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to the Washington Captials with three straight one-goal victories including two in overtime. Tampa Bay received an extra day of rest and endured far less pressure in putting away Montreal in six games in the conference semifinals.

Coming off of three days or more, the Lightning are 8-2 on the season. The series should stretch on for a while before a Stanley Cup participant surfaces, but Tampa Bay is positioned well to get out to an early lead.

Standings: Bern (78-69-1, $11,250), Keefer (80-77-2, $10,457), Brewer (69-83-3, $2,275)

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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