NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Rangers vs Sharks (Tuesday, January 23)
Nicole Vasquez/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers with teammates Mika Zibanejad #93, Kaapo Kakko #24, Jacob Trouba #8 and K’Andre Miller #79
Rangers vs. Sharks Odds
| Rangers Odds | -350 |
| Sharks Odds | +275 |
| Over / Under | 6 -105o / -115o |
Here's everything you need to know about Rangers vs. Sharks on Tuesday, Jan. 22 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
On Tuesday night, the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks face off for the second and final time this season.
The Rangers are fresh off a much-needed, come-from-behind victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. New York will attempt to carry the momentum from its four-goal third-period outburst to San Jose.
The Sharks are also riding high after stringing together consecutive wins for just the fourth time this year. They'll look to earn their first three-game winning streak of the season in what is the second game of a back-to-back for them.
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Rangers vs. Sharks prediction and pick.
With a 6-5 victory over the Sharks on Dec. 3, the Rangers improved to 18-4-1 on the season. But the 23 games since have looked awfully different.
New York owns an 11-11-1 record following its first meeting with the Sharks and has lost its stranglehold on the Metropolitan Division due to this prolonged slide.
However, the Blueshirts’ underlying numbers are not reflective of the struggles that their recent win total would suggest. The Rangers’ 51.02 xGF% and 51.34 HDCF% at 5-on-5 over this stretch indicate they are still generally driving play and out-chancing opponents.
Among other factors, New York appears to have fallen victim to some poor puck luck as of late. Since tallying six goals against San Jose in early December, the Blueshirts are shooting just 7.61% at 5-on-5 as a team, which ranks 25th in the NHL. Their .972 PDO over this stretch represents the league’s second-worst mark, suggesting New York is likely due for some positive regression.
The other area that has shockingly been an issue for the Blueshirts over this stretch is goaltending. Igor Shesterkin, a former Vezina Trophy winner and the supposed backbone of this team, has been a bit shaky over his 16 starts since Dec. 5. He is sporting an uncharacteristically low .889 save percentage and a 3.01 GAA across this span. His -6.24 goals saved above average is alarming, too.
When factoring in backup goaltender Jonathan Quick, New York’s team save percentage over the last seven weeks is just .888. Only four teams have been worse in this category.
This represents a stark contrast from the last time the Rangers faced the Sharks. The Blueshirts entered that one with the league’s third-highest save percentage at .918 and the third-lowest goals-against average at 2.42.
Thus, the Rangers’ team defense has slipped from where it was early in the season, but shaky goaltending as of late has perhaps caused more panic than necessary about the overall state of the Blueshirts. Shesterkin and Quick are due to get back on track sooner rather than later.
(With North Carolina sports betting set to launch this year, you’ll be able to bet legally on the NHL at major sportsbooks. Get the latest news.)
The Sharks, led by former Rangers coach David Quinn, are what they are at this point. Sitting at 12-31-4, San Jose is potentially headed for what would arguably be the worst season by an NHL team since the 2016-2017 Colorado Avalanche, who finished 22-56-4.
Entering Tuesday, the Sharks have won two straight games but just four of their last 20. This stretch includes a 12-game losing skid, constituting their second double-digit winless streak of the season.
Unfortunately, there are no answers in sight. San Jose’s struggles are multidimensional, and despite Logan Couture’s return, the roster is several pieces away from any sort of resurgence.
The Sharks' 2.56 all-situations xGF/60 ranks 31st. They own the league’s worst all-situations xGA/60 at 3.66.
San Jose’s .890 team save percentage also ranks 29th, so it’s not as if they have gotten much help from goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Kaapo Kahkonen, either.
The Sharks have struggled on special teams, too, as they boast the league’s worst penalty kill, which could be a problem against the Rangers’ second-ranked power play.
San Jose’s -91 goal differential is 27 goals worse than the Chicago Blackhawks, who hold the second-worst mark.
Perhaps the only hope for the Sharks is that they have been slightly better at home than on the road this season. With a 7-12-2 record at the SAP Center, their home winning percentage is better than that of the Anaheim Ducks.
Rangers vs. Sharks
Betting Pick & Prediction
Despite their recent inconsistencies, the Rangers are rightfully heavy favorites in this one at -350 at Caesars Sportsbook. Those odds are reflective of just how significant the talent disparity is between the two teams.
With that said, I see value on the puck line in this one, where the Rangers are only -125 at Caesars.
Shesterkin, despite his struggles, should be in for an easy night with the Sharks’ inability to create high-danger chances. And the Rangers, who have actually won three of their last five games and are fresh off a momentous victory, should generate plenty of prime opportunities.
I’m picking the Rangers to cover, especially given the prospect of an empty-netter to seal the deal.
Pick: Rangers Puck Line (-125 at Caesars | Play to -130)
How would you rate this article?
Follow Us On Social
