The Boston Bruins (8-1-2) and New York Rangers (4-5-2) begin a two-game set at Madison Square Garden with a 7 p.m. ET puck drop Wednesday. Below, we analyze the Bruins-Rangers NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Bruins have been off since Friday after having a two-game set against the Buffalo Sabres postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak through the Buffalo organization. Boston had previously won three in a row.
The Rangers are 2-1-0 to begin February and had a game of their own postponed Saturday due to COVID issues for the New Jersey Devils.
Bruins at Rangers: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bruins -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Rangers +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread/ATS: Bruins -1.5 (+165) | Rangers +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Bruins at Rangers: Projected starting goalies
Tuukka Rask (5-1-1 .898 SV%, 2.36 GAA) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (1-2-1, .886 SV%, 3.27 GAA)
Rask has won four of his last five starts; three of those victories were against the high-scoring Philadelphia Flyers. The veteran has allowed just 1 or 2 goals in four of his seven outings. Rask didn’t face the Rangers last season.
Georgiev continues to split time fairly evenly with Igor Shesterkin but the second-year Bulgarian will start on his 25th birthday. He last allowed 5 goals on 38 shots in an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at MSG Jan. 30.
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Bruins at Rangers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Bruins 4, Rangers 2
Money line (ML)
The BRUINS (-165) are the play on the road as the much better team early this season. Boston is third in the NHL in Corsi For percentage and 11th in scoring chances for at 5-on-5; the Rangers are 18th and 19th, respectively. Boston has a sizable edge in both power-play and penalty-kill success rates.
Give the goaltending edge to Rask even though he hasn’t seen the Rangers in some time and back Boston to spoil Georgiev’s birthday in NYC.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The BRUINS -1.5 (+165) can be backed for extra profit with a win by 2 or more goals. Three of their last five victories were by multi-goal margins, and they’ve scored at least 4 goals in five of their last seven games.
The Rangers are 8-3 ATS but trust Boston’s advantage in the analytics at 5-on-5 and its special teams’ edge.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (-115) with the Bruins likely to continue their scoring surge since RW David Pastrnak returned to the lineup. Both teams enter well-rested and should be ready to score in this Original Six battle.
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