Rangers vs. Red Wings Odds
| Rangers Odds | -134 |
| Red Wings Odds | +112 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +104/ -128 |
Here's everything you need to know about the New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings on Friday, April 5 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Rangers vs. Red Wings odds have New York as a -145 favorites on the moneyline, while the over/under is set at six goals. The Rangers have dominated this matchup recently, winning eight of the past 11 meetings.
New York won five of those eight games by at least two goals, a trend I expect to continue as I make my Rangers vs. Red Wings prediction for Friday.
New York Rangers
New York is in great form and has won 11 of its past 14 games. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who is slated to guard the cage on Friday, has been a big reason for this recent surge.
Through 51 starts this season, Shesterkin is 33-16-2 with a .910 SV% and a 2.65 GAA. That success is likely to continue against Detroit, a team he is 4-1 against in his career with a commanding .936 SV% and a 1.58 GAA.
Three of those four wins came by at least two goals. Shesterkin's job is certainly made easier because he plays behind a team that does a good job of suppressing high-danger scoring chances.
The Rangers rank in the top half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). With strong defense and goaltending, it's not shocking that they rank in the top 12 of the league in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game and penalty kill percentage.
On the other end of the ice, New York ranks in the top half of the league in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, power play percentage and shooting percentage. Regression is unlikely as it also ranks 13th in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
Detroit Red Wings
Speaking of offensive regression, the Wings are certainly due for it. This season, Detroit ranks ninth in the league in goals scored per game.
However, regression is likely as Detroit also ranks 24th in xGF/60. We've started to see this regression kick in recently as the Red Wings have scored three or fewer goals in 12 of their past 16 games.
Detroit lost all 12 of those games, with nine of those 12 losses coming by multiple goals. This team has played just as bad on the defensive end of the ice, ranking 24th or lower in goals allowed per game, shots on goal per game and xGA/60.
With poor metrics both offensively and defensively, the Red Wings rank 26th in expected goal differential per 60 minutes. For comparison, New York ranks 16th in the same category.
Rangers vs. Red Wings
Betting Pick & Prediction
Goaltender Alex Lyon is slated to guard the cage for Detroit, and he has come crashing back down after a dominant start to the campaign. Lyon has allowed four or more goals in seven of his past 11 starts and posted a fade-worthy 1-8-2 record with a .888 SV% and a 3.83 GAA over that stretch.
Seven of those 10 losses came by at least two goals, and I like that trend to continue Friday as New York is the better team across the board.
Therefore, I think there is more value in taking New York's puck line at +170 than laying -145 on the moneyline.
Pick: Rangers -1.5 (+170 at DraftKings | Play to +160)
