The Nashville Predators face the New York Rangers with both teams looking to build off of strong seasons. The Predators have a 34-25-8 record and are only a few points out of wild card position in the Western Conference while the Rangers have a 40-19-10 record and with three wins in a row have leaped into third place in the Metropolitan Division. Both teams look to make a push for the playoffs in the final week of the season and the upcoming game looks to be a good one.
Predators have been led by great defense
The Predators are having a promising season but hope their offense improves, scoring only 2.80 goals per game with only three goals in the last two games. Matt Duchene, Thomas Novak, and Ryan Johansen have combined for 44 goals and 64 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only six active skaters have 10 goals or more and opponents can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has been great, allowing only 2.88 goals per game. Roman Josi and Ryan McDonagh have combined for 8.2 defensive point shares and 271 blocked shots while Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier have combined for 4.4 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Juuse Saros has been great with a .917 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average on 1670 shots with 21.3 goals saved above average.
Rangers have looked great on both ends of the ice
The Rangers are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.26 goals per game including 15 goals in the last three games. Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad have scored 55 goals and 92 assists to lead the top line but the entire offense has stepped up this season. Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider, and Filip Chytil have combined for 68 goals and 60 assists while defensemen Adam Fox and K'Andre Miller have added 16 goals and 77 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
The offense has been great but the defense has carried the Rangers, allowing only 2.78 goals per game with only five goals in the last three games. Fox and Miller have combined for 8.6 defensive point shares and 184 blocked shots while Braden Schneider and Jacob Trouba have combined for 6.5 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. Additionally, goaltender Igor Shesterkin has been great with a .910 save percentage and a 2.63 goals-against average on 1438 shots with 8.1 goals saved above average.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Rangers have looked great recently and look to build off their three-game winning streak and control this game. The Rangers, who average 3.26 goals per game, should find the back of the net at will with Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with great puck movement. The Rangers, who allow only 2.78 goals per game, should limit the Predators' offense, which averages only 2.80 goals per game, with Adam Fox, K'Andre Miller, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Igor Shesterkin to make plenty of big saves. The Rangers should the game and cover the spread in a dominant win at home to extend their winning streak to four games.
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Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Both teams have been led by their defenses and the upcoming game should reflect that with both defensive units stepping up and controlling this game. The Predators, who allow only 2.88 goals per game, should limit the Rangers' offense with Roman Josi, Ryan McDonagh, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Juuse Saros to make plenty of big saves. The Rangers, who have allowed only five goals in their last three games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Predators, who have scored only three goals in their last two games, with Adam Fox, K'Andre Miller, Jacob Trouba, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Igor Shesterkin makes plenty of big saves. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.
Take the Under on 6 goals.