The Detroit Red Wings (40-27-8) and New York Rangers (31-36-9) meet in an NHL matinee. Puck drop is set for 12:30 p.m. EDT at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.
The Red Wings are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-120 / +100). The Red Wings are a -125 favorite to win outright, while the Rangers are +105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Red Wings vs. Rangers predictions and NHL picks.
Red Wings vs. Rangers Odds, Pick
| Red Wings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
- - | - - / - | - |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
- - | - - / - | - |
- Red Wings vs. Rangers Spread: Red Wings -1.5 (+185), Rangers +1.5 (-225)
- Red Wings vs. Rangers Over/Under: 5.5 (-120 / +100)
- Red Wings vs. Rangers Moneyline: Red Wings -125, Rangers +105
Red Wings vs. Rangers Preview
Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are in a tightly contested race for the final Wild Card spot. With a position in the Atlantic Division likely out of reach, every point is critical as they battle a handful of other Eastern Conference teams for a playoff berth.
The good news for Detroit is that it is in a favorable spot in this matchup against the Rangers.
The Red Wings have done a strong job suppressing high-danger scoring chances this season, ranking 11th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Supporting that defense is goaltender John Gibson, who is slated to start.
Gibson has put together a solid season, going 28-19-3 with a .905 save percentage and a 2.46 goals-against average. With this combination of defensive play and goaltending, Detroit ranks 10th in goals allowed per game.
New York Rangers
That defensive strength is likely to create problems for New York, which has struggled offensively. The Rangers rank 27th in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), making them one of the least effective teams at generating high-danger scoring chances.
As a result, New York ranks 24th in goals scored per game. The Rangers have also been equally poor defensively.
Entering this matchup, New York ranks 23rd in xGA/60 and 22nd in goals allowed per game.
Red Wings vs. Rangers Prediction
Detroit holds the edge on both ends of the ice, outranking New York in xGF/60, xGA/60, goals scored per game and goals allowed per game. The main factor keeping the Red Wings’ price reasonable is that Igor Shesterkin is expected to start for the Rangers.
That said, New York has lost five of Shesterkin’s past seven starts. He owns a .898 save percentage during that stretch.
Pick: Red Wings ML (-125 | Play to -130)
