The hot New York Rangers come off a game last night to take on the deeply struggling Detroit Red Wings, while the St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks both look to break their slumps at a critical time.
Detroit Red Wings (+125) vs New York Rangers (-150)
The Rangers and Red Wings come into this game going in the opposite direction. The Rangers have won three in a row and five of six, including two wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and victories over the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Red Wings, on the other hand, have lost three in a row and 10 of 12.
Igor Shesterkin played last night for the Rangers, so it’s safe to assume Alexandar Georgiev will get the nod in this game. He struggled against the Buffalo Sabres but still got the win. He has won three of the past four starts, including a shutout. The Red Wings have given up six-plus goals in four of their past eight losses and they don’t have a favourable opponent in the Rangers who are going to go easy on the offence.
The Rangers are the seventh-best team on the road this season but the Red Wings have been significantly better in their own building than on the road. This may be a little closer than you’d think, but the Rangers should still take this one pretty easily and hit the over (O6.5, +100).
Vancouver Canucks (-115) vs St. Louis Blues (-105)
This matchup between the Canucks and Blues is one where both teams have struggled of late. They are both 2-3-2 in the past seven games but are playing the second game of a home-and-home. The Blues took the first game two days ago by a score of 4-1.
David Perron is the player to watch in this one as he looks to add to his goal totals on the month. He has 12 goals in 12 games in March and has been one of the consistent bright spots during the Blues’ recent stretch. The Blues more than not have hit the over but the last five Canucks’ games have hit the under. I expect the goaltenders to step up a bit and this to be a tight game with a lot on the line for each. Go with the under in this one (U6, -110).
The Canucks’ recent struggles have all but taken them out of the playoff race, though they are still within reach if things turn around and they get a bit of luck from the other teams. The Blues, on the other hand, have fallen into a wild card spot and have lost a bit of ground on the Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators. They should be looking to get going and sort things out before the playoffs come. Take the Blues to break the slump and take the second game as well.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM.
