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The Seattle Kraken (9-8-1) host the New York Rangers (10-4-1) Sunday. Puck drop at Climate Pledge Arena is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Rangers at Kraken odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Seattle caps off a back-to-back against New York squads following a 3-2 victory as +102 home underdogs with the Under (5.5) cashing against the Islanders Saturday. D Jamie Oleksiak scored the eventual game-winner, breaking a 2-all tie with 3:13 to go. G Joey Daccord stopped 22 of 24 shots in the win. His start likely means that G Philipp Grubauer will be between the pipes Sunday to build on Seattle’s 4-game win streak.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have alternated wins and losses in their past 4 outings, most recently nudging past the San Jose Sharks in a 3-2 win Thursday. C Mika Zibanejad, LW Jimmy Vesey and C Vincent Trocheck scored all 3 of the Rangers’ goals in the 2nd period as they covered as big -424 home favorites with the Under (6.5) hitting. The victory marked a solid rebound effort for G Igor Shesterkin, who had allowed 5 goals in each of his previous 2 outings. Shesterkin stopped 25 of 27 San Jose shots in the win.
Season series: First meeting of season; split 1-1 in 2023-24
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Rangers at Kraken odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 1:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rangers -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Kraken +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rangers -1.5 (+135) | Kraken +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Rangers at Kraken projected goalies
Igor Shesterkin (7-4-1, 2.78, .914%, 1 SO) vs. Philipp Grubauer (1-5-0, 3.27, .877%)
As noted above, Shesterkin rebounded from 2 tough home outings — 6-1 loss vs. Buffalo Sabres Nov. 17 and 6-3 setback vs. the league-best Winnipeg Jets Tuesday — to stymie the Sharks. In a small sample size, Shesty has performed much better away from Madison Square Garden, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.76 GAA in 4 road trips compared to 4-3 with a 3.32 GAA in 8 home games.
Grubauer looks set to step into this assignment in the second half of a back-to-back. The German veteran has allowed 3-plus goals in 4 of 6 appearances this season. He is 1-2 with a 3.43 GAA in 3 home games.
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Rangers at Kraken picks and predictions
Prediction
Rangers 4, Kraken 2
Moneyline
New York (-190) is too heavy a favorite for my prediction for me to recommend betting the moneyline. I prefer to work the other 2 options below to maximize value.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
New York’s puck line is a lofty bet, but the Rangers have been crushing the books on the road with a 5-1 ATS record in that split. This reflects Shesty’s recent preference for away games, too.
I’m expecting an empty-net goal to give this bet the check mark.
BET RANGERS -1.5 (+135).
Over/Under
These goalies might be in for a lighter night than expected. The Rangers rank 10th in MoneyPuck.com’s Goals Differential Above Expected (5.68), while Seattle sits 12th (4.24). The Rangers’ luck might be set to run out or at least slow down in this West Coast trip.
Since I’m expecting the exact total that BetMGM Sportsbook is using to establish the Over/Under line, I’ll roll with the Under in the hopes that Shesterkin stays hot and I’ll settle for the push if my predicted combined goal tally hits.
BET UNDER 6 (-105).
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