Lightning vs Rangers Prediction 10/1/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Lightning vs Rangers Prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, October 1^st. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

New York Rangers Preview

The Rangers have a 0-1-0 record this season and are coming off a 0-3 road loss to the Bruins. They have more shots and more hits but just one power play opportunity and they did not take advantage of it. Jeremy Swayman saved all 24 shots at his goal for the Bruins. The Rangers will face the Red Wings and Mammoth next. Igor Shesterkin is the starting goalie for the Rangers, and he has a 0-1-0 record, with 2.02 GAA and .909 SV%.

Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

The Lightning finished last season with 106 points with a 50-26-6 record and were placed 2nd in the Atlantic Division. They had a 26-14-1 home record, a 24-12-5 road record and were 41-48 ATS and 42-42 in over/under. They will face the Capitals and Flyers next.

Offensively last season, the Lightning averaged 3.49 goals per game and were scoring 20.73% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they allowed 2.79 goals per game and were killing 82.56% of their opponent’s power plays.

Nikita Kucherov led the Lightning with 130 points, also adding a team-high 86 assists and a team-high 44 goals. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the starting goalie for the Lightning, and he had a 39-15-4 record, with 2.31 GAA and .911 SV%. Jonas Johansson was the backup goalie and he had a 11-10-2 record, with 3.29 GAA and .884 SV%.

Buffalo Sabres @ Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Trends: October 1, 2026

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The home team has won five of the last six games between the Sabres and Blue Jackets.
• The Sabres have lost four of their last five road openers.
• The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three season openers.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in three of their last four home games against the Sabres.
• The Sabres have lost the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.

Why the Buffalo Sabres will win

• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last six games as favorites.
• The underdogs have won each of the Blue Jackets’ last six games.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last nine games between the Sabres and Blue Jackets.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games as favorites.
• The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last seven road games when leading after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine season openers have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Sabres’ last four season openers have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last eight games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Blue Jackets’ last 10 home games against the Sabres.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in four of his last five appearances against the Sabres.
• Damon Severson has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances in night games at Nationwide Arena.

Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts

• Zach Benson has scored a goal in four of the Sabres’ last five road games.
• Tage Thompson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last five road games.
• Tage Thompson was one of only six players in the league to score a goal in six consecutive appearances last season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Columbus Blue Jackets ranked 28th in the league in penalty kill percentage last season (76.02%).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets suffered the most losses when tied or leading after Period 2 last season (23).
• The Buffalo Sabres ranked 4th in the league in penalty kill percentage last season (81.90%).
• The Buffalo Sabres ranked 5th in the league for goals per game last season (3.45).

Lightning vs Rangers Prediction

The Rangers are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings against the Lightning but have lost two of their last three meetings in New York.

In this Lightning vs Rangers Prediction, the Lightning are coming as -140 road favorites. The Rangers looked terrible in their season opener, as they continued where they left off their terrible last season, getting shut out by the Bruins. The Lightning were one of the best teams in the East last season and will be once again this season and they won their previous visit in New York last season by 4-1. The Lightning are the far better team in this matchup and we are getting a decent price with them. Take the Lightning on the moneyline in this one.