It’s an interconference tilt on the ice between a pair of teams looking to earn a victory as they tangle in the Silver State. The New York Rangers are on the road as they travel westward to battle the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday night. New York earned a 3-2 overtime win at home against New Jersey in their previous contest Thursday night. Vegas was blanked 4-0 at home by the Islanders in their previous contest Thursday night. In the last 10 meetings between the teams, the Golden Knights own a 7-3 advantage and have won the last two meetings. That includes a 5-2 road win in the most recent matchup January 26, 2024.
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Who will win this matchup? Read more about this Rangers vs. Golden Knights prediction!
New York Trying to Build Some Momentum
New York improved to 3-1-1 in their last five games as they managed to pick up the home win over New Jersey in their previous game Thursday night. The Rangers improved to 19-20-2 on the year and stood sixth in the Metropolitan Division, 19 points behind the Capitals for the top spot entering Saturday. They were 14 points behind Carolina and New Jersey for the final guaranteed spot in the division. New York is tied for 19th in the league with an average of 2.93 goals per game. The Rangers are 22nd in goals against by allowing 3.17 goals per game this season. New York is 21st when it comes to success with the man advantage as they have converted 19.1% of their power play opportunities this season. The Rangers are 7th in the league by successfully navigating 83.1% of their shorthanded situations on the season.
Against New Jersey, it wasn’t a perfect showing but New York did what they needed to in order to earn the victory. The Rangers were outshot 11-8 in the opening period but took a 1-0 lead to the dressing room at the first intermission. Adam Fox opened the scoring with a power play goal, his second of the season, at 12:05 off an assist from Vincent Trocheck. In the second period, New York held a 9-5 advantage in shots but was outscored 2-1, leaving the game even after 40 minutes. After giving up a pair of goals to trail 2-1, Artemi Panarin evened the score with his 17th goal of the year, on the power play, at 17:13 with assists going to Mika Zibanejad and Fox. The third period saw the Rangers with a 12-6 edge in shots with neither side lighting the lamp, keeping things even at the end of regulation. In overtime, New York owned a 3-1 advantage in shots and scored the winning goal to earn the two points. Sam Carrick tallied his third goal of the year at 2:48 off an assist from Reilly Smith to give the Rangers the win. Igor Shesterkin made 21 saves for the Rangers, who held a 32-23 edge in shots, in the win. He’s the likely starter in goal for the Blueshirts here.
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Golden Knights Look to Get Back On Track
Vegas had won three straight and nine of 10 before getting stonewalled at home by the Islanders Thursday night. The Golden Knights entered Saturday 28-10-3 and stood first in the Pacific Division standings, leaving them six points ahead of the Oilers and Kings for the top spot in the division. Vegas entered Saturday’s action 4th in the league in goals for as they average 3.46 goals per contest on the season. The Golden Knights are 6th in the league in goals against as they give up an average of 2.68 goals per game this season. Vegas is 7th in power play success as they cash in on 24.7% of their opportunities with the man advantage. The Golden Knights are 20th in the league in penalty killing as they have successfully navigated through 78.2% of their shorthanded situations on the season.
Against the Islanders, Vegas generated plenty of scoring opportunities but were bested by Ilya Sorokin on the night. The Golden Knights owned an 8-6 edge in shots on goal in the opening period but trailed 1-0 at the first intermission. In the second period, Vegas owned an 11-6 edge in shots only to be outscored 2-0 to trail 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. The third period saw the Golden Knights hold an 11-9 advantage in shots only to again be outscored, this time by a 1-0 margin, to end up with the loss. Adin Hill made 17 saves for the Golden Knights, who owned a 30-21 edge in shots on goal, in the loss. Ilya Samsonov is projected to get the start in goal for this contest for Vegas.
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Best Bets for N.Y. Rangers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
New York has shown some signs of life with their 3-1-1 mark in their last five games but they still are well off the pace in the Metropolitan Division playoff race. That thrusts the Rangers in the middle of a crowded wild-card race, where they trail the Blue Jackets by four points for the second wild card with four teams between them and Columbus. The return of Shesterkin is a boost for the Rangers but the fact remains that they’ve been more of a pop gun offense than a consistent unit this season. Vegas was blanked in their last game but they were sizzling before that so chalk that up to a stellar night from an opposing goaltender. It’s hard to see that happening twice in a row, especially at home. Give Vegas the upper hand here.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
New York has been better offensively of late, tallying 19 goals in their last five games. That helped three of the games in that stretch go over the number, as did shaky goaltending as the Rangers gave up 17 goals in that stretch. That’s not the kind of goaltending performances you want when you’re facing a team like Vegas, who are fourth in the league in goals per game. The Golden Knights have been more restrained of late, scoring just 17 goals in their last six games. Of course, they have given up only 12 in that stretch, which is a major reason five of the last six have stayed under the number. This one is going to end up close to the number but lean toward the under given the Golden Knights’ ability to limit damage by the opposition.
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