Avalanche vs. Rangers Picks, Predictions: Can New York Spark Offense?
A pair of the NHL’s elite are set to clash on Tuesday night when the New York Rangers host the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche. Read on for our Avalanche-Rangers picks and predictions.
Off to identical 3-2-1 starts, neither the Avalanche nor Rangers are completely tearing up the league at this point. New York fell completely flat in its last outing, dropping an uninspiring 5-1 game to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday afternoon. Backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak made just 16 saves on 21 shots and Artemi Panarin scored the Rangers' lone goal.
Colorado heads into Tuesday's game on the heels of a 3-2 triumph over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Nathan MacKinnon, Evan Rodrigues, and Valeri Nichushkin had a goal apiece, and Alexandar Georgiev stopped 33 shots to secure the win.
Can the Rangers halt their two-game losing skid, or will the Avalanche escape MSG with two points?
Check out our top NHL shot props for Tuesday.
Here are our Avalanche-Rangers picks and predictions for Tuesday (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).
Avalanche vs. Rangers Game Info
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Avalanche vs. Rangers Odds
Avalanche vs. Rangers Odds Analysis
The odds are dead even at -110 at essentially every major sportsbook. Fifty-three percent of the cash is coming in support of the Rangers.
The goal total is set at 6.5, with the Over paying out at +100, while the Under will net you -120. Bettors are aligned on the Under with 67% of the tickets accounting for 96% of the cash.
Avalanche vs. Rangers Picks
- Moneyline: Rangers (-110 DraftKings)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 Goals (+100 DraftKings)
- Prop: Artemi Panarin Over 2.5 Shots (+100 FanDuel)
Avalanche vs. Rangers ML Pick
Rangers (-110) ★★★★
At this point I’m leaning New York. Colorado's loss of captain Gabriel Landeskog really chips away at the Avalanche’s forward depth which was already thinned during the offseason. They still have plenty of terrifying firepower, and Nichushkin is absolutely running wild, but the Avs rely too heavily on their power play. Operating at an unsustainable 52.94% (!!!), their power play is completely propping up an offense that has scored only 11 even-strength goals through 6 games.
The Rangers aren’t exactly running roughshod either, but they are besting the Avalanche in Corsi For percentage, expected goals for, expected goals against, and expected goals for percentage.
Not off to an incredible start, Blueshirts Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Igor Shesterkin is still the standard bearer between the pipes, and I expect him to outduel his former teammate Georgiev.
Avalanche vs. Rangers O/U Pick
Over 6.5 (+100) ★★★★
Even with the talent between the pipes, I still wouldn’t be surprised to see a 4-3 type affair. The Avalanche are averaging 3.67 goals per game, while at the same time surrendering 3.17. They’ve combined with their opponents to score seven or more goals four times through six games.
The Rangers are lighting the lamp 3.33 times per game, and surrendering an identical 3.33 goals per game. They’ve combined with their opponents to score seven or more goals only twice, but both of those games reached the 10-goal plateau.
Avalanche vs. Rangers Prop Pick
Panarin Over 2.5 shots (+100) ★★★★
The Breadman is completely torching opposing goaltenders thus far, racking up four goals and 12 points through six games. With 16 shots on goal, he’s averaging 2.67 per game. That number jumps to 3.5 over his last four games, and he’s topped four-plus shots three times during that red-hot stretch.
As he’s the straw that stirs the Rangers’ drink, there’s definitely tremendous value in backing Panarin to launch at least three shots on goal.
Where to Bet on Avalanche vs. Rangers Picks
Avalanche-Rangers picks made 10/25/2022 at 11:21 a.m. ET.
