The New York Rangers (10-12-3) wrap up a two-game set on the road against the Boston Bruins (14-6-4) Saturday with a 1 p.m. ET puck drop at TD Garden. Below, we analyze the Rangers-Bruins odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
Rangers at Bruins: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rangers +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Bruins -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +1.5 (-175) | Bruins -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Rangers at Bruins: Projected starting goalies
Keith Kinkaid (0-1-0, 2.21 GAA, .912 SV%) vs. Jaroslav Halak (6-2-2, 1.88 GAA, .927 SV%, 2 SO)
Kinkaid will make his second start and fourth appearance overall for the Blueshirts. He came on in relief last time out in place of the ineffective Alexandar Georgiev and he stopped all 13 shots he faced in 34-plus minutes of action in Thursday’s 4-0 setback in the series opener.
Halak will get the starting nod after blanking the Rangers in the front end of the back-to-back. The 35-year-old Slovakian backstop has been on fire since flipping the calendar from February to March, going 2-0-1 with a 0.65 GAA and .977 SV% in three starts. He also blanked the Rangers back on Feb. 12 at MSG, making 21 saves in a 1-0 shutout win.
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Rangers at Bruins: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Bruins 5, Rangers 2
Money line (ML)
The BRUINS (-200) have a red-hot goaltender in the crease with Halak, and he especially thrives against the Rangers (+165). Normally I like to have a money line limit of -180 and no higher, but sometimes there are exceptions.
It’s hard to envision the Rangers being able to turn the tables on Halak and the B’s. While I like the puck line better, I can live with a money line wager at this price, too.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The BRUINS -1.5 (+145) are a better value play at this price than on the money line, obviously, but there is also a little more risk. Still, the B’s won and covered 4-0 in the last game, and they have hit the puck line in each of their past four victories, including two wins against the Rangers during that span.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 5.5 (+100) is a value play here at even-money. I know Kinkaid looked sharp in relief last time out, but there is a reason he has been a career backup in this league.
The Bruins should be able to pile up plenty of offense against him, and I expect the Rangers to at least get on the board against Halak this time. He can’t pitch another shutout, can he?
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