The deal in question saw the Lightning acquire defenseman Ryan McDonagh and LW JT Miller from New York, in exchange for forward Vladislav Namestnikov, two prospects and two draft picks. Tampa Bay is 2-0-1 since the trade, although McDonagh has yet to make his debut because of an upper-body injury; that debut will happen this Thursday if all goes according to plan.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have won three straight games since the deadline, giving them a faint glimmer of playoff hope in the weak Metropolitan Division. Namestnikov had a goal and an assist in those three games, centering New York’s top line, and he won over 55% of his face-offs. The Blueshirts have also enjoyed strong early returns from forward Ryan Spooner, who came over from the Boston Bruins in the big Rick Nash trade. Spooner has one goal and six assists in four games playing left wing on their second unit.
NHL Odds: New Look Rangers, Lightning Collide in Tampa
In their first meeting since the trade deadline, the Tampa Bay Lightning (45-17-4) will host the New York Rangers (30-30-6) this Thursday at 7:30 PM ET. Both teams have enjoyed success since their blockbuster trade; the Lightning are 2-0-1, while the Rangers have won three straight.
The February 26 deal saw New York send defenseman Ryan McDonagh and LW JT Miller to the Bolts in exchange for forward Vladislav Namestnikov, two prospects and two draft picks. While McDonagh (upper body injury) hopes to make his Lightning debut Thursday, Miller has a goal and two assists since landing in Tampa Bay.
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