The New York Rangers (35-18-9) kick off a 4-game road trip Saturday against the Boston Bruins (48-8-5) at TD Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rangers vs. Bruins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Rangers were on the short end of a 5-3 setback at home against the Ottawa Senators Thursday. RW Patrick Kane made his Blueshirts debut but was scoreless with a minus-2 rating in the setback. New York is now just 2-4-1 across the past 7 games.
The Bruins roughed up the Buffalo Sabres by a 7-1 Thursday, the team’s 9th consecutive win. Boston has scored at least 3 goals in each of the outings during the streak, averaging 4.4 goals per game (GPG).
These teams last met Jan. 19 in New York, with the Bruins coming away with a 3-1 win behind G Jeremy Swayman. Boston also recorded a 5-2 win on Nov. 3 behind G Linus Ullmark, also at Madison Square Garden in NYC.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Rangers at Bruins odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:42 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Bruins -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers +1.5 (-180) | Bruins -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Rangers at Bruins projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (27-10-7, 2.63 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Linus Ullmark (31-4-1, 1.88 GAA, .938 SV%, 2 SO)
Shesterkin allowed just 2 goals on 28 shots in a 3-2 OT win at the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday. He has won back-to-back outings, yielding 2 goals in each contest, following a rough span that saw him concede 4 or more goals in 4 straight appearances.
Ullmark is looking to become the first Boston netminder to win the Vezina Trophy since Tuukka Rask in 2013-14, and he is the clear-cut favorite at the books. In fact, this is a battle between the Vezina favorite for this season, and last year’s winner.
The 29-year-old Swede has been throwing a blanket on the opposition all season and is showing no signs of slowing down. He has won 6 straight starts, and he wrapped up February 6-0-0 with a 1.80 GAA and .947 SV%. Ullmark even scored an empty-net goal on Feb. 25 in Vancouver.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Rangers at Bruins picks and predictions
Prediction
Bruins 4, Rangers 2
Moneyline
The BRUINS (-170) are a little pricey, but it’s not the worst price in the world. Boston has topped New York by a combined 8-3 score in a pair of wins earlier this season, and this is the first meeting at TD Garden. Look for the B’s to continue to roll.
Puck line/Against the spread
The BRUINS -1.5 (+155) are a decent play on the puck line. Boston has won both of the previous meetings by at least 2 goals, and each of those outings was in New York.
Boston has won 9 consecutive games, with 5 of them coming by 2 or more goals.
The Rangers are just 1-5 in their last 6 tries against Atlantic Division foes and have cashed in just 2 of the previous 7 games overall. And the B’s are 12-5 in the previous 17 meetings overall in the series.
Over/Under
The OVER 5.5 (-125) is a little pricey for a total, but we should see enough goals in this matinee action.
The Rangers have cashed the Over at a 9-4 clip across the past 13 games overall and it’s 5-1 in their last 6 against teams with a winning overall record.
Be careful, though, as the Under has dominated for the B’s lately and is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings between these teams in Boston.
Want action on this matchup or any other NHL games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]