There’s extra trigger and impact to athlete superstitions than many would possibly suppose.
Artemi Panarin shaved his head after which overcame a career-long six-game level drought with a purpose and two assists within the Rangers’ previous 4-1 victory over the Pink Wings on Friday.
However they’re again at Madison Sq. Backyard the place they’re 0-5-1, a stark distinction to their 7-1-1 highway document, going through the Islanders on Saturday.
On the floor, it’s tough to seek out rationale in backing a staff with a 3.6 taking pictures share below their very own roof — a fee that’s made for six targets in as many video games.
The Rangers’ energy play has been dreadful at house and on the highway, no much less, rating No. 32 general.
What’s reassuring is that the Rangers nonetheless retain the NHL’s highest high-danger scoring likelihood fee.
Except for the 18 they generated in opposition to the Pink Wings, they acquired 10 prime appears in opposition to the Hurricanes at house of their 3-0 loss on Tuesday, in accordance with Pure Stat Trick.
Carolina is the last word litmus take a look at so far as I’m involved. The Hurricanes are the No. 1 membership in puck possession in all conditions per MoneyPuck. They play with elite construction and relentless stress, closing house with tight defensive methods and forcing opponents into low-danger pictures.
To not say the Rangers earned an “A “on their report card in that loss, however they compelled 26 turnovers to the Canes’ 14.
Now come the Islanders to MSG, who rank No. 27 in anticipated targets (the Rangers rank second) and are additionally enjoying a back-to-back after a discombobulated 5-2 loss to Minnesota.
Ilya Sorokin’s recreation is in a regarding place. He’s stopping 88 p.c of pictures confronted, sports activities a -1.0 GSAx and has even turned to Patrick Roy for solutions.
For as incompetent because the Rangers energy play has been, one factor we will credit score them for is an excellent penalty kill that’s succeeding at an 85 p.c clip. That unit will draw an Islanders energy play that’s 7-for-48.
From my vantage, developments are normally coincidental, however some are value noting: The Rangers swept the season sequence final 12 months and have received 5 straight in opposition to the Isles.
The Islanders have misplaced the second leg of back-to-backs on the highway 14 of the final 17 occasions.
Betting on the NHL?
The Rangers might look cursed on Backyard ice, however one thing will give for a staff that’s relinquished the second-fewest targets in hockey (35 in 15 video games).
There’s sufficient distinction between these groups to punt on the Rangers’ puck line worth with Igor Shesterkin vying for his first house win.
I’d additionally give Panarin’s anytime purpose scorer prop a have a look at +155 odds (FanDuel Sportsbook).
Except for the brand new haircut, he scored 5 targets in 4 video games in opposition to the Isles final 12 months and has 16 factors in his final 10 conferences.
THE PICK: Rangers -1.5 (+164, FanDuel)
Why Belief New York Publish Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and school soccer for the New York Publish. He primarily focuses on picks that replicate market worth whereas monitoring developments to mitigate threat.
