Matching up for the third and final time this year, the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers clash at Madison Square Garden in an Original Six showdown. Fox Sports Detroit will air the game, and the action gets going at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 25.
Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers Odds
New York is 27-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 48-34 record that the team posted during last years regular season campaign. Of its 62 games this season, 33 have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 18-15 SU at home this season.
The Rangers have converted on 20.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
The Rangers, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their past five contests. The teams had to kill penalties for just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Averaging 28.3 saves per game with a .914 save percentage, Henrik Lundqvist (23-29-4) has been the best goalkeeper for the Broadway Blueshirts this year. If the Broadway Blueshirts decide to give him the evening off, however, head coach Alain Vigneault may go with Ondrej Pavelec (5-11-11 record, .910 save percentage, 3.01 goals against average).
The Broadway Blueshirts will continue seeking leadership from Mats Zuccarello and J.T. Miller. Zuccarello (43 points) has tallied 10 goals and 33 assists and has recorded two or more points eight times this year. Miller has 12 goals and 27 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 27 contests.
Over on the other bench, Detroit is 25-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 35 of its outings have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Red Wings are 12-15 SU as a road team this season.
The Red Wings have converted on 19.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.4 percent of all penalties.
Detroit’s players have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.4 per game over their last five road outings. The teams been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (2.80 goals against average and .911 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 26.4 saves per game and has 17 wins, 28 losses, and seven OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will be facilitated by Dylan Larkin (nine goals, 36 assists) and Henrik Zetterberg (nine goals, 33 assists).
Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Over New York’s last ten outings, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-6 in those games).
- Power plays and penalty kills may be critical in tonight’s game. The Red Wings are 8-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 17-25 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Rangers are 10-13 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 17-19 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Detroit is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 3-4 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of New York’s last five outings.
- New York has allowed 3.2 goals per game overall this year, but is allowing 4.3 goals per matchup over its six-game losing streak.
- New York has averaged 16.6 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 12.9 giveaways per game (ranked 32nd).
- Detroit skaters have averaged 7.8 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 10.8 giveaways per game (ranked 24th in the NHL).
