The New York Rangers needed a win over the St. Louis Blues on Monday night, and they got it. It was not a pretty effort, but the Blueshirts were able to capitalize on some soft goaltending from Jordan Binnington and a few bad mistakes from St. Louis to quiet the noise, at least for now.
The Rangers now head to Vegas as +130 underdogs against the Golden Knights. Can they keep the momentum – however small it may be – going?
Puck drop is set for 10:00 pm ET and the game will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
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Rangers vs. Golden Knights prediction
During his time in Boston, Bruce Cassidy established the Bruins as the best defensive team in the NHL. The B’s were consistently among the top two or three clubs in the circuit at suppressing scoring chances at even strength.
So when Cassidy wound up in Vegas, most folks assumed that he would help the Knights improve in their own zone and follow the blueprint that worked in Beantown. The early returns are quite impressive.
Vegas has improved its overall goals against average from 2.98 to 2.63 this season and its 5-on-5 goals allowed per 60 minutes from 2.44 to 2.21. Part of that improvement can be chalked up to strong goaltending from Logan Thompson, but the Knights have been stingier in their own zone.
Last season, Vegas ranked 13th in expected goals allowed and 19th in high-danger chances conceded. Through 27 games this season, Vegas is 10th and ninth in those categories, respectively.
The Knights should be able to keep a talented but inconsistent Rangers offense to a reasonable number on Wednesday night.
As for the Rangers, there’s been plenty of ink spilled about their struggles throughout the first two months of the season, but one part of their game that’s been decent has been their defensive play. The Blueshirts are tied with the Knights in expected goals allowed and are in the middle of the pack at preventing high-danger scoring chances. Igor Shesterkin hasn’t been up to the standard he set last season, but the defense has been fine in front of the reigning Vezina Trophy winner.
Betting on the NHL?
And even though Shesterkin hasn’t been dominant this season, he hasn’t been poor. The 26-year-old is 11-4-4 with a .910 save percentage and a +4.5 Goals Saved Above Expected in 19 games this season.
Thompson’s numbers are even more impressive, as the 25-year-old rookie owns a .921 save percentage and a +5.9 GSAx in 18 contests for the Knights.
With a strong goaltending matchup and two above-average defenses squaring off, a bet on the under seems a savvy one on Wednesday night.
Rangers vs. Golden Knights pick
Under 6.5 (FanDuel)
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