The Ottawa Senators (36-24-9) and New York Rangers (28-33-9) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y. The game will be broadcast live on NHL Network.
The Senators are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6 (-119o / -102u). The Senators are a -191 favorite to win outright, while the Rangers are +160 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Senators vs. Rangers predictions and NHL picks.
Senators vs. Rangers Odds, Pick
| Senators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +125 | 6 -119o / -102u | -191 |
| Rangers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -152 | 6 -119o / -102u | +160 |
- Senators vs. Rangers Spread: Senators -1.5 (+125), Rangers +1.5 (-152)
- Senators vs. Rangers Over/Under: 6 (-119o / -102u)
- Senators vs. Rangers Moneyline: Senators -191, Rangers +160
Senators vs. Rangers Preview
Ottawa Senators
Day by day, the Senators keep inching closer to the playoffs.
They’ve enjoyed a strong March, going 7-2-1, and facing the Eastern Conference’s lowest-ranked team should (keyword: should) increase their chances.
But in this world, trap games are real, and the Sens need to be careful when taking on the Rangers.
Ottawa has unsurprisingly played fantastic 5-on-5 hockey in March, ranking in the top three in offense with a 58.44 xGF% and in the top 10 in defense with a 2.48 xGA/60.
The wealth is being spread immensely, with everyone getting involved. As of late, the Sens have been getting top-notch production out of captain Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto, Claude Giroux, and Dylan Cozens.
Though it’s been tough without one of Ottawa’s top defensemen, Jake Sanderson, who is expected to return within the next seven days.
The one thing that you have to be on the lookout for with the Senators is goaltending. If it weren’t for poor goaltending, the Sens would probably be sitting pretty near the top of the East.
But Linus Ullmark has been dreadful all season. To his credit, he’s playing better hockey since the Olympics, but with how well the Sens defense has been, an .890 SV% and a 1.0 GSAx isn’t going to cut it.
New York Rangers
As we head toward the end of the season, the Rangers are just focused on one thing: finishing the season.
Management already has its eyes set elsewhere with the upcoming NHL Draft featuring a loaded crop of prospects.
But the play on the ice has been OK compared to earlier this season. They nearly pulled off an afternoon win against the playoff-hopeful Jets on Sunday, but lost in a shootout.
New York’s 5-on-5 numbers for the month of March have actually been fairly decent. Currently, it’s playing to a 2.67 xGA/60 on the defensive end and a 47.24 xGF%.
It may not seem like a lot, but it’s progress for a team that has been brutal all season.
Alexis Lafreniere has been playing lights out as of late, generating a solid amount of high-danger chances and converting on them. At the same time, Mika Zibanejad is always a threat to light the lamp.
Yesterday, Dylan Garand made his first career start, so I’d anticipate Igor Shesterkin to take the crease on a few days' rest. Despite New York’s struggles, Shesterkin has still been solid, posting a .912 SV% and a 4.8 GSAx over his last 10.
Senators vs. Rangers Prediction
The Rangers have been horrible in front of their home fans all season, and it’s a trend that has carried on after the Olympic break.
It doesn’t help either that New York is playing a back-to-back, which it hasn’t done well all season. The Blue Shirts have an abysmal 1-9-1 record while on the back end of back-to-backs, and playing one of the league’s hottest teams doesn’t bode well for them.
Which is why I’m feeling daring and picking the Senators to win big. FanDuel has the Sens to cover the puckline at +126 and in six of their last seven games, they have won by more than two goals.
It seems to be the makings of a blowout on Broadway.
Pick: Senators -1.5 (+126)
