Back Lightning vs. vulnerable Rangers on Wednesday

Tuesday was a solid night on the ice, as we went 2-1 with player props while turning a small profit on sides thanks to a Canucks win at a healthy +125 price.

Let's dive into Wednesday's three-gamer as we look to keep the ball rolling.

Lightning (+115) @ Rangers (-135)

The Lightning are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, winning eight of 10 games before the All-Star break. And now they're getting healthy.

Defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak are both expected to return to action against the Rangers on Wednesday night. They'll provide positive impacts at each end of the ice for a team that did just fine without them.

The Rangers aren't playing their best hockey, either. Although they've won back-to-back games, they sit 22nd in expected goals share at five-on-five over the last 10 contests. They aren't generating a whole lot offensively, and Igor Shesterkin is noticeably having issues at the other end.

He's struggled so mightily that the Rangers believe it's in their best interest to give Jonathan Quick his second straight start coming out of the All-Star break.

Although he played well against the Avalanche, Quick's performance has dipped since Christmas. The 38-year-old has played above his head for much of the season and it's probably not realistic for that to continue - especially in a date with Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, and a star-studded Lightning attack.

Even if Quick holds his own, I'll happily take my chances with Andrei Vasilevskiy and the more in-form team at generous +115 odds.

Bet: Lightning (+115)

John Tavares: Over 3.5 shots

After a lengthy dry spell in which Taveres' production and shot volume dipped, things are starting to stabilize for the Leafs forward.

He's been a shooting machine of late, recording four shots or more in six of the past seven games and attempting six shots in a low-event contest against the Kraken in the lone exception. The volume is there right now.

Tavares is starting to get rewarded, scoring in back-to-back outings while putting up three points. He should feel good about his game heading into a matchup that's better than meets the eye.

The Stars are a good team, but they've given up a lot of shots lately. On Tuesday night, they conceded more than 40 against the disappointing Sabres.

Over the past 10 games, the Stars rank 27th in shot suppression at five-on-five and 30th while killing penalties. They're struggling defensively right now.

Tavares has recorded at least four shots in 63% of his games this season. What's more, he won't see much of the dominant Roope Hintz line, and the vulnerable Stars are in a back-to-back situation. Toronto's captain is primed to build on his recent success.

Odds: -140

Victor Hedman: Under 2.5 shots

Hedman has struggled to generate shots all season long. He's gone over the total in just 29% of his games, and his success rate drops even further on the road (26%).

The towering defenseman finds himself in a dreadful matchup to increase that number on Wednesday night. The Rangers don't give up many shots, don't take many penalties, and play a very low-event brand of hockey that leads to a lot more floor games than ceiling games from opposing shooters.

The Rangers have especially excelled at limiting shots from blue-liners. Only the Hurricanes have conceded fewer shots per game to opposing defenders over the last 10 games.

Making matters worse, Hedman's workload could dip in this game. With Sergachev and Cernak expected back, Jon Cooper doesn't have to rely on him as heavily.

Odds: -122 (playable to -160)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.